Mobile tariffs in the UK, are generally significantly lower than they are across the pond in the US, but even then, when an operator offers an “unlimited everything” plan for just £12, most would take it with a pinch of salt. Well, UK’s TalkTalk group which runs an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) on the Vodafone UK network, has now done just that. It is promising unlimited talk, text and 3G data for only £12 a month, as part of a new promotional scheme. What’s more, this scheme comes with a rolling 30-day contract to be extended on a monthly basis depending on the needs of the customer. So no getting stuck with a lengthy contract either. If all this sounds a bit too good to be true, it probably is.
So what’s the catch? Well, for one, this is a bundled offer, whereby, you have to be a TalkTalk customer from beforehand to be eligible for the scheme. If you’re not already a TalkTalk subscriber, you need to sign up to TalkTalk’s wireline broadband services to avail of the unlimited plan. Foregoing the broadband, however, means you’ll only be eligible for the regular £24 a month scheme, for 2000 minutes and 2GB data. Also, the unlimited SIM cannot be used on a PC with a USB dongle. It is strictly mobile only. Tethering is also a strict no-no as well. So you’re not going to be using your smartphone as a mobile hotspot either. The most curious and telling condition however, is the part in TalkTalk’s press release, which states that the unlimited data would be subject to the “Good Network Guidelines”. Which pretty much means that if you use “too much data” on your SIM, your operator will have the right to terminate your contract forthright. There are no clear indicators, however, as to what these “Good Network Guidelines” cover. Another point made by TalkTalk is that it says the unlimited SIM will be up for grabs only till June 30th.
For people who do not have an issue with any of the above terms and conditions or if you’re already a subscriber to TalkTalk’s broadband services, this might be the best thing since sliced bread. For the rest though, this isn’t going to be as life-changing as it might seem.