T-Mobile aims to stimulate mobile data usage by cutting prices in Europe by between 50-70 per cent. The price cuts, along with simpler tariffs, come into play in April in all European subs where the mobile network operator has majority control.
In Germany, T-Mobile's home market, prices will fall from c. €0.19-€0.29 to €0.09 per data block transmitted. It's also offering a flat rate fee of €4.95 for transmitting around 300 emails and 1000 page imps. A 1MB account should cost less than €10 per month.
According to Ovum analyst Paulo Pescatore, T-Mobile is playing catch-up with Vodafone Live! with today's announcement. "It's an important new approach," he told VNUNET. "T-Mobile had an ideal opportunity when it rebranded last year, but by introducing a flat rate they got it all wrong."
But how long before Vodafone responds? A Vodafone spokesperson told told ElectricNews.Net, the Irish IT newswire, that "within the next two months, it expected to make a significant announcement, including new product and tariff details". We think it is reasonable to infer that Vodafone Ireland will not be going solus and that other territories will be involved. ®
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