iPhone Hacked in Hong Kong on Smartone-Vodafone [Dec. 1 Update]
Posted by: Vinko in Advice, Hack, iPhoneNote: This post is over 7 months old. You may want to check later in this blog to see if there is new information.
Sorry for the late posting of my findings regarding the most appropriate package(s) to subscribe to from Smartine-Vodafone.
After one and a half month of use, I have a fairly good idea whether my original proposed “Internet Browsing” and “2G/3G Data” plans are sufficient to allow for the freedom of using the iPhone, without worrying about the amount may be charged for the privilege.
Although these packages are not unlimited usage plans, they do provide enough data (GPRS/EDGE) allowance to cover the typical use of an iPhone. This includes features like: Mail, Stock application, Weather application, YouTube application, web browsing and various 3rd party applications that require Internet access.
These Smartone-Vodafone plans are: the HKD38.00/month “Internet Browsing” and the HKD118.00/month “2G/3G Data” plans; both these are non-commitment/contract prices.
As explained in my previous posting, for some undisclosed reason, the “Internet Browsing” plan does not cover all data usage on the iPhone, therefore one needs to also subscribe to a “2G/3G Data” plan. Otherwise you will be charged a data charge of HKD0.06/kb.
My test last month had me using 5.5MB of additional data usage aside from my “Internet Browsing” plan allowance. If I did not have a “2G/3G Data” plan I will have to pay an additional HKD330.00. If I had the HKD48.00/month “2G/3G Data” plan (the lowest available), I will still have to pay an extra HKD100.00.
Therefore I found the HKD118.00 “2G/3G Data” plan is the most economical choice, while allowing me to use the iPhone without any worries of being charged an extremely high data usage fee.
I hope these findings will help my fellow iPhone users in Hong Kong.
Please see my original article, “iPhone Hacked in Hong Kong on Smartone-Vodafone” for details of my post and the feedbacks from various readers.
Tags: Apple Inc., data plan, Hack, Hong Kong, iPhone, unlock
Entries (RSS)
December 4th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Thanks, it is very helpful
December 7th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Hi,
I’ve still stuck with the iN! plan with no data - but I can’t use email etc. when on edge. It works pretty well and I get no extra charges of course, but it does require some discipline
In my case though email is not work related so I don’t need it when on the move generally…
Cheers,
John
January 21st, 2008 at 12:16 am
hi,
im from philippines and would be planning to go to hk, while there im planning to buy 6 iphones for my whole family,and since this is my 1st time in hk i will be asking for your help guys.
1.] you have purchased iphones locally. could you please point name a particular store you can recommend that i would most likely get an iphone 1.1.1 fw, that are reliable and have good service?
2.] admin ive red your guide on how to purchase an iphone. but that guide was i think sept. is it safe to purchase 1.1.2 otb now? can it be unlocked now?
3.] i will be using a carrier in philippines for this. is this okay if i will be testing my roaming simcard for this iphones while in the shop? and can i easily change the simcards when i give it to my family members?? if not please tell me what to do to have their simcards be used in those new units.
4.] any more pointers and possible gotchas for this situation that i might not have anticipated?
1 more thing. how much is the typical hp laptops cost in hk? core 2 duo ones? anyone have idea if i will be having problems if i go home carrying 6 iphones and maybe 5 laptops?
your reply will be highly appreciated.
thank you very much
January 21st, 2008 at 12:19 am
i meant in the airport problems ? customs?
what do you recommend? should i handcarry it or put it in a luggage?
thanks
January 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hi Charlie,
Please note that the only way to unlock an iPhone with the 1.1.2 firmware is to use a device like TurboSIM. As mentioned in my articles this is not a recommended method of unlocking.
The safest and preferred method is via software using the opensource method. So you know what is exactly put on your iPhone.
At the moment iPhones with 1.1.1 firmware is very hard to come by and when they are available they are in the range of HKD60XX.00. Where as the versions with 1.1.2 firmware and TurboSIM are selling at HKD48XX.00
I do not suggest you purchase an iPhone at the moment and definitely not 6. There is now a hardware unlocked method for the iPhone with 1.1.2 firmware so the software unlock should not be far behind. You should really wait.
Sorry I am a Macintosh user and do not follow the prices of Windows machines. So I cannot answer your question about the going price for the HP computer.
If you were go purchase iPhones, I definitely would not put them into checkin luggage. Put time in your carry on bag and keep them close.
January 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
oh thanks you very much. admin. one more thing. you know any possible reliable store in hk? where i could possibly buy if i go there?
thank you again
January 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi Charlie,
Sorry, I cannot recommend any stores in HK, even if you insist on purchasing the iPhones right now.
Again I re-emphasis that you should not get the iPhone at the moment.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:34 pm
okay thanks for the advice sir.your blog has been helpful more power.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Hi. Just unlocked my 1.1.2 iPhone for use here in HK, with ZiPhone. Saw your post - am on Smartone’s iN plan too. Does it meant that if I only use Safari, I shouldn’t be charged beyond what their “web browsing” plan covers? Any idea what kind of protocol the other applications like Stocks and Weather use?
February 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Hi Guinness,
Please see my original post “iPhone Hacked in Hong Kong on Smartone-Vodafone for details.
The simple answer is, there is no way to know exactly how Smartone-Vodafone is deciding which of the data usage are within the “Internet Browsing” plan and which is not.