Veale sets new land speed record on 'White Elephant'
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Vodafone have responded to the campaign to droptheratemate by trying to justify their costs and saying inaccuracies are the reason they are higher.
We all know this is a load of shit. They are also wasting money on Google ads to promote their response... Money they made from having exorbitant termination rates.
So how about not spending money trying to convince people you should keep ripping them off, and drop the prices?
details about the droptheratemate campaign are here :
By Airnet, Consumer NZ, Federated Farmers, Federation of Maori Authorities, NZUSA, TUANZ, 2Degrees & Unite. 92 views
Eighty-one percent of Kiwis know they’re being ripped off by Telecom and Vodafone. That’s the key finding from an independent quantitative study by Curia Market Research Ltd, commissioned by Drop the Rate, Mate! and published today. The same study shows 81% of us want Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce to accept the Commerce Commission’s draft recommendation to cut the mobile termination rates (MTRs) that are causing the rip off.
A spokesman for Drop the Rate, Mate!, Matthew Hooton, said the study also indicated New Zealanders were well informed about the Telecom and Vodafone rip off with 73% of Kiwis knowing that New Zealand mobile phone charges are higher than in similar countries. Only 3% disagreed with this proposition.
On MTRs specifically, 86% and 88% of New Zealanders respectively believed that it should cost about the same to call or text someone on a different mobile network as to call or text someone on their own network. With Telecom and Vodafone likely to claim yet again that they are prepared to voluntarily lower MTRs over the next few years, the study also found that 55% of Kiwis don’t trust companies to lower prices voluntarily. Mr Hooton said Mr Joyce could take some comfort from the results of the study when he decides later in the year whether to accept the advice from his Commerce Commission to drop termination rates. “Over the next few months, Mr Joyce is going to be the victim of a ferocious corporate lobbying campaign by Telecom and Vodafone, but he will be able to tell them that not only is the Commerce Commission telling him to drop the rate, but farmers, students, workers, Maori, consumers and 81% of New Zealanders are all telling him the same thing – drop the rate, mate!” Mr Hooton said.
The launch of Drop the Rate, Mate! has been sponsored by Airnet, Consumer New Zealand, Federated Farmers, the Federation of Maori Authorities, the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, the Telecommunications Users Association, 2degrees and the Unite union. The Curia study had a sample size of 800 and a margin of error at the 95% confidence level of +/- 3.5%. The full Curia report is available on request or at http://curiablog.wordpress.com
Vodafone's load of crap excuses, with the formatting errors which are on their forum page, are below
Lower termination rates do not result in lower retail prices as suggested. In fact, the Commerce Commission itself has pointed out that reducing termination rates will increase mobile prices by as much as $180 million over five years. The customers most affected will be those on prepay who don�t make many calls.
New Zealanders enjoy some of the best mobile pricing in the OECD � New Zealand is firmly in the top half of the OECD and just this week Vodafone has reduced the price of the country�s cheapest On Account plan from $18.95 to $16.95 per month.
Vodafone knows customers want value and we have worked to reduce voice costs by 55% and TXT prices by 75% over the past four years.
Vodafone customers benefit from great value products likes Family and BestMate. Half a million customers have a BestMate and on average they make $375 worth of calls and TXTs for only $6 a month. This adds a whopping $950 million of additional value for New Zealanders each year.
FAQs about this campaign and Vodafone's mobile costs
Why do we pay so much for mobile in New Zealand?
Vodafone average prices for mobile calls have actually dropped by 55% in the last 4 years and TXTs by 75%. Deals like BestMates, TXT600, TXT2000, Family and $2 for 60 minutes to call overseas have made mobile cheaper than ever.
But the cost is 89c per minute � that�s huge.
Actually, the 89c per minute rate is for casual prepay users who aren�t taking advantage of any of our value offers. It�s true that some of the best deals are on account � for $16.95 people can get 80 minutes of calling (that�s 21c per minute). For prepay, though, BestMates mean our average customer makes $375 of calls and TXT each month for $6.
But all your value is on-net � why is this?
Some of our best deals do recognise our customers� loyalty and reward them. BestMates, Family and TXT2000 are all on-net. This doesn�t reduce the huge amount of value they provide which keep Vodafone customers� mobile costs lower than ever before.
Off-net we provide TXT600 (which means people pay as little as 2c per TXT) and our $2 for 60 minutes overseas calling (on average, Vodafone customers who use this pay around 14c a minute to call 15 popular countries). Our bundles also allow for off-net minutes and TXTs, meaning customers can make contact across networks and still keep their spend reasonable.
How can you say Mobile Termination Rates aren�t linked to high prices?
Mobile termination rates are the amount paid by companies to carry calls onto their network. They vary from country to country and there is no link between cheaper mobile rates and lower Mobile Termination Rates.
It is reasonable that the network which receives the call and terminates it on the network should be paid for this. In countries where there are no MTRs, many people have to pay to receive calls (e.g. in the USA).
The Commerce Commission has made it clear that reducing MTRs could actually increase the retail cost of mobile calls - up to $180 MILLION over 5 years.
But if the Consumers Institute thinks MTRs and prices are linked, surely it must be true?
We think the organisations supporting the Drop the Rate campaign have been misled.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Watch the Burton New Zealand Open on GO211.com August 14 - 15, 2009
WHAT: Live event webcasts on GO211.com. Webcasts will feature the men's and women’s halfpipe and slopestyle semi-finals and finals taking place on August 14 – 15 at Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand. GO211.com will be providing cool interactive technologies (live scoring, live standings, competition rankings and rider bios) that will allow the viewer to take a more active role.
WHO: Mitchell Brown, James Hamilton, Stef Zeestraten, Kendall Brown and Shelly Gotlieb are just a few of the top Kiwi riders who plan to compete for a piece of the NZ$50,000 prize purse.
WHEN: Catch the entire events as they go down with LIVE webcasts on GO211.com during the following times:
LIVE WEBCASTS: New Zealand Time Zone
Friday, August 14
Morning Show 9:20 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Semi-finals: Women 9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Semi-finals: Men 11:20 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Finals 1:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. (NZST)
End Show 3:20 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. (NZST)
Saturday, August 15
Morning Show 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Finals 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NZST)
End Show 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (NZST)
(NOTE: webcast times subject to change based on weather or other unforeseeable incidents.)
For anyone who misses the live webcasts or the daily replays, both highlights of the winning runs and the full webcasts will be available for on-demand viewing after the event is over on www.GO211.com. A replay of the slopestyle webcast will take place at 9:00 a.m. NZST on Friday, August 21st and a replay of the halfpipe webcast will take place at 9:00 a.m. NZST on Saturday, August 22nd.
For more information on the New Zealand Open, visit www.opensnowboarding.com
About the Burton Global Open Series
The Burton Global Open Series events are the pinnacle snowboarding events of the season. Founded by Jake Burton, the Opens have grown from grassroots events to global spectacles attracting tens of thousands of spectators and riders from around the world. Since the beginning, the Opens have been driven by riders, for riders evolving with snowboarding and riders’ needs over the years. With events held in New Zealand, Europe, Canada, Japan and the United States, the Opens set the standard for snowboarding events around the globe. For more information, visit www.opensnowboarding.com.
About the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility and innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most respected snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holds the highest (1000 Swatch TTR points). Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the Swatch TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider at the end of the season are crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.
About GO211.com
GO211.com is the leading community and video site for action sports created for and by athletes and enthusiasts. It’s the place to go for behind-the-scenes videos, blogs, and photos from pro athletes and featured contributors along with other action sports fans. GO211.com is proud to offer a broad range of exclusive content submitted directly from the athletes and is proud to host interactive live webcasts of the top events in surf, skate, snow and BMX. The current GO211 Pro Team roster includes: Hannah Teter, Nate Yeomans, Torah Bright, Mikes Losness, Kelly Clark, Jack Mitrani, Andy Finch, Donny Robinson, Christian Hosoi, and Holly Beck, among others.
About Cardrona Alpine Resort
CARDRONA is located in the Crown Range between Queenstown (57kms/60mins) and Wanaka (34kms/35mins) in the South Island of New Zealand. With consistently good weather and reliable snow conditions Cardrona offers superb terrain suited to all ability levels. Cardrona is renowned for its wide open, undulating terrain that is perfect for beginners and intermediates, whilst the Arcadia and Tulips chutes offer extra challenge for more advanced riders. Cardrona is home to New Zealand’s premier terrain parks, with up to four half pipes, a gravity cross and a range of beginner freestyle features. For more information, visit www.cardrona.com
WHO: Mitchell Brown, James Hamilton, Stef Zeestraten, Kendall Brown and Shelly Gotlieb are just a few of the top Kiwi riders who plan to compete for a piece of the NZ$50,000 prize purse.
WHEN: Catch the entire events as they go down with LIVE webcasts on GO211.com during the following times:
LIVE WEBCASTS: New Zealand Time Zone
Friday, August 14
Morning Show 9:20 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Semi-finals: Women 9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Semi-finals: Men 11:20 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (NZST)
Slopestyle Finals 1:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. (NZST)
End Show 3:20 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. (NZST)
Saturday, August 15
Morning Show 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Women 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Semi-finals: Men 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. (NZST)
Halfpipe Finals 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NZST)
End Show 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (NZST)
(NOTE: webcast times subject to change based on weather or other unforeseeable incidents.)
For anyone who misses the live webcasts or the daily replays, both highlights of the winning runs and the full webcasts will be available for on-demand viewing after the event is over on www.GO211.com. A replay of the slopestyle webcast will take place at 9:00 a.m. NZST on Friday, August 21st and a replay of the halfpipe webcast will take place at 9:00 a.m. NZST on Saturday, August 22nd.
For more information on the New Zealand Open, visit www.opensnowboarding.com
About the Burton Global Open Series
The Burton Global Open Series events are the pinnacle snowboarding events of the season. Founded by Jake Burton, the Opens have grown from grassroots events to global spectacles attracting tens of thousands of spectators and riders from around the world. Since the beginning, the Opens have been driven by riders, for riders evolving with snowboarding and riders’ needs over the years. With events held in New Zealand, Europe, Canada, Japan and the United States, the Opens set the standard for snowboarding events around the globe. For more information, visit www.opensnowboarding.com.
About the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility and innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the Swatch TTR Tour has been developing into the most respected snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holds the highest (1000 Swatch TTR points). Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the Swatch TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider at the end of the season are crowned Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.
About GO211.com
GO211.com is the leading community and video site for action sports created for and by athletes and enthusiasts. It’s the place to go for behind-the-scenes videos, blogs, and photos from pro athletes and featured contributors along with other action sports fans. GO211.com is proud to offer a broad range of exclusive content submitted directly from the athletes and is proud to host interactive live webcasts of the top events in surf, skate, snow and BMX. The current GO211 Pro Team roster includes: Hannah Teter, Nate Yeomans, Torah Bright, Mikes Losness, Kelly Clark, Jack Mitrani, Andy Finch, Donny Robinson, Christian Hosoi, and Holly Beck, among others.
About Cardrona Alpine Resort
CARDRONA is located in the Crown Range between Queenstown (57kms/60mins) and Wanaka (34kms/35mins) in the South Island of New Zealand. With consistently good weather and reliable snow conditions Cardrona offers superb terrain suited to all ability levels. Cardrona is renowned for its wide open, undulating terrain that is perfect for beginners and intermediates, whilst the Arcadia and Tulips chutes offer extra challenge for more advanced riders. Cardrona is home to New Zealand’s premier terrain parks, with up to four half pipes, a gravity cross and a range of beginner freestyle features. For more information, visit www.cardrona.com
"Drop The Rate Mate" - via @benedict_x on twitter
"Drop The Rate Mate" Campaign Launches. Fights Against Vodafone And Telecom.
The day of expensive mobile charges is over.
Erine Newman (TUANZ CEO), Tex Edwards (2degrees), Sue Chetwin (the Consumer Association) have team up with Matthew Hooton, of public affairs consultancy -Exceltium- to create a web-based campaign urging government action over mobile termination rates.
Inspired by a similar campaign in the UK, 'Drop The Rate Mate' aims to support the Commerce Commission's draft on recommending government regulation on artificially inflated mobile termination rates created by Telecom and Vodafone to prevent competition and maintain their duopoly.
Shared via AddThis
The day of expensive mobile charges is over.
Erine Newman (TUANZ CEO), Tex Edwards (2degrees), Sue Chetwin (the Consumer Association) have team up with Matthew Hooton, of public affairs consultancy -Exceltium- to create a web-based campaign urging government action over mobile termination rates.
Inspired by a similar campaign in the UK, 'Drop The Rate Mate' aims to support the Commerce Commission's draft on recommending government regulation on artificially inflated mobile termination rates created by Telecom and Vodafone to prevent competition and maintain their duopoly.
Shared via AddThis
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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