By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom announced it will sell the iPhone 3G via prepaid at P37, 599 or around P4, 000 less than its initial introductory price, the company said Friday.
Globe said in a statement iPhone 3G prepaid kits will be available at P37, 599 and P43, 799 for the 8GB and 16GB, respectively.
Globe said the new pricing will apply to all subscribers — even to those who have made reservations. Globe earlier said Apple’s latest iPhone device will be available starting August 22.
The prepaid plans come with P1,000 load spread over 5 months, or P200 per month. Also, the first 1,000 phonekit purchases will get another P1,000 discounts off the purchase price.
Earlier this month, Globe said it will see the iPhone 3G via prepaid at P41,899 (8Gb) and P48, 899 (16Gb). The iPhone 3G is likewise available through postpaid plans ranging from P1,599 to P4,999 a month, inclusive of free WiFi via Globe Wiz.
Globe added zero-interest purchase plans in partnership with local banks still apply.
The Apple iPhone 3G, which operates on the third-generation (3G) mobile network, will also come with a built-in global positioning system (GPS) for location-based mobile services.
The iPhone 2.0 software includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, apart from hundreds of third-party applications built with the recently released iPhone software development kit.
Globe Telecom has more than 21 million mobile subscribers to date.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:09 am
If I was being charged the way Globe is charging Filipinos, forget that! And I earn 100 times more than an average Filipino, as a middle class American. These Filipino companies are backwards, man.
Also, how could you enjoy iPhone 3G prepaid? What is that, then, “for show”? You spent more than four times what I spent, and pay a little bit more per month than I do, and you can only use the iPhone up to a certain extent? What a jip.
It just doesn’t make sense that you charge that much considering the standard of living comparison between Filipinos and Americans.
Who’s your clientel? The “rich”? It’s ludicrous. An average Filipino deserves to experience the fun of iPhone 3G. Apparently, aristocracy will never go away.
I paid $199 for my phone with a 2 yr agreement with ATT. I pay $70/month with unlimited data plan…and I earn a measley $2200/month net as an average lower middle class person. Please, Globe, let the average Filipinos afford the iPhone.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I’ve seen Globe’s iPhone pricing at thier website. The Prepaid iPhone is not subsidized by Globe but its actually sold at a Premium above the $599 8gb and $699 16gb iPhone. If you plan to buy them at Apple with no ATT subsidies.
Oh BTW one of the Key Features of the iPhone called Visual Voicemail seems to be missing from Globe Telecoms. I wonder why?
Globe also wants to charge you Php 0.50/min for the 3G Data. There is no Unlimited Data Plan for 3G.
There are lots and lots of iPhone features that are missing here like GPS. GPS map location base and navigation. AFAIK there is no GPS location maps for the Philippines. You can kiss Google Maps and Streetview goodbye for that is just wishfull thinking.
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
Even if globe offers the same price as AT&T here in the US, Globe doesn’t have the same network capability as AT&T and the price would still be beyond reach by the average pinoy.
Consider that a pinoy’s salary is way below what an american earns.
Globe’s market for iphone is limited to those who can afford and those who are willing to sacrifice just to belong to the in crowd. Globe has to make an early killing before thjey ran out of people who can afford.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
uh… I think you guys are being too narrow minded and you aren’t reading everything. The 199 and 299 price tag in the states has a 2 year plan lock-up. Check out at&t’s website for the actual plans being offered, then compare it with globes’.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
im also a regular subs of globe. let me give u a comparisson on prices. its not pricey coz in US you’ll get the phone at $199 but you have to maintain a plan of $70/mo for 2 yrs. do the math!