Excess data charges to double as promo is ending: SingTel

Excess data charges to double as promo is ending: SingTel
    POSTED: 14 Aug 2013 11:42 PM
  
SingTel has responded to media reports that it will double its mobile charges for 4G customers who exceed their monthly data bundle, saying that its earlier rate was a promotion which ends on September 15.

SINGAPORE: SingTel has responded to media reports that it will double its mobile charges for 4G customers who exceed their monthly data bundle, saying that its earlier rate was a promotion which ends on September 15.

“The rate of $5.35/GB for 4G local excess data usage (data that is used beyond the monthly data bundle) was offered as a special promotion with the launch of our 4G service in June 2012,” said a SingTel spokesman on Wednesday.

From September 16, excess data usage will be charged at the regular rate of S$10.70/GB, capped at S$188 per month. The rates were halved for the promotion, which was supposed to end in January but was extended until next month.

SingTel said currently 13 per cent of its mobile subscribers consume more than their monthly data bundle, and the telco has contacted these customers “to let them know that they can continue to enjoy the rate of $5.35/GB by subscribing to our DataMore value added service”.

The telco added that it is common practice for it to send out notices a month before the end of a promotion.

Earlier in June, there were rumours that SingTel would be increasing its excess data charge when a statement was posted on its FAQ saying that from July, excess data would be charged at S$10.70/GB, capped at S$188 per month.

SingTel later removed the statement, saying then that the “information was erroneously posted on our website”. The telco also noted that the statement had said that the S$5.35 price is a promotional rate.

Customers can monitor their data usage via the MySingTel app or by dialing *3282. SingTel said it also notifies customers via SMS whenever they have used 80 per cent and 100 per cent of their data bundle.

StarHub currently charges a promotional rate of S$6.42/GB with a cap of S$64.20/month. This will be revised to S$8.56/GB, capped at S$85.50 when the promotion runs out on December 31 this year. M1 said its current charges at S$5.35/GB, capped at S$94.16 (excluding monthly subscription) are not promotional rates but are subject to changes.

-TODAY/ir

- wong chee tat :)