Hutchinson/3 here in Hong Kong recently announced their iPhone prices and their mandatory subscription plans here.
To cut to the chase, it seems like if you’re thinking of getting an iPhone at an uncontracted price for use in Singapore – fat chance, at least for now. 3’s FAQ says:
 | Will standalone iPhone 3G handset be available for sale? |
 | No. The iPhone 3G needs to go with a series of data-centric tariff plan in order to perform its best. 3 Hong Kong has tailor-made a series of data tariff plans, coupled with unique contents and applications, allowing 3G users to fully indulge in the mobile Internet world. |
So that simply means that you’ve gotta be prepared to squander HK$2,938 + (24 months of HK$188) = HK$7,450 (about SG$1,307) for an 8GB one. Thankfully there’s no 7% GST on top of that.
Oh, and this is provided you are one of 500 “lucky” pre-registered folks who have signed up to buy it.
All that trouble and you’re still better off buying the US$600 uncontracted one from AT&T.
I think I’ll wait.
Just read that 3 (the telco) received 70,000 online enquiries for the 500 3G iPhones they are making available, or rather, been allocated, this Friday.
If my memory doesn’t fail me, I think the telcos have never created these mini-sites for any other phone launch. It’s amazing the kind of hoops they’re jumping through just for the iphone! For most other phones, they just sell it. But for the iphone, you have to come up with special plans, special services, special FAQs…the list goes on. Does anyone know whether the telcos are really making shitloads from this phone?
The wait for iPhone 3G here in Singapore is another 3 months (including sitting out July) .. damn long.
Switching ain’t the problem. The problem is I have a one-year Smartone-Vodafone contract that I still have to ride out.
I know the bottom line is that you’re currently not with 3 (the HK telco), but is it that hard to switch, especially since I know you really want an iPhone 3G? Preciousss…