Audio version

37

LIFE

June/July 2012 www.esb.ie/em

ARE YOU GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR YOUR MOBILE AND INTERNET?

Untangling the wires

BARRY MCCAL

PERSONAL FINANCE

WHEN WAS THE last time you looked at your mobile phone or broadband internet bill and wondered if you were getting the best deal? Probably quite recently; but when was the last time you actually did something about it by shopping around and actually going for a better deal? Probably a long time ago, if ever.

The difficulty tends to lie in the way these things are packaged and charged for. Take broadband for example. None of the operators really charge on a per megabit basis which would make it quite easy to compare. Instead the charge for a combination of speed and amount of data uploaded and downloaded.

For example, you can have an upload speed of 2.5 Mb, a download speed of 25 Mb and a maximum usage of 500 Gigabits for month from one operator for €43 per month while another will a download speed of 24 Mb, an upload speed of 768 kb, and maximum usage of 250 Gigabits per month for €40 per month. The headline download speeds may make the second offer seem slightly more attractive because of its lower cost but the very different upload speeds and maximum usage allowances suggest differently.

Also, while download speeds may be the ones used for marketing purposes by the various providers the fact is that upload speeds are equally important for many users. For example, if you want to use your broadband connection to make free Skype video calls to loved ones on the other side of the world a slow upload speed will make it next to impossible to have a satisfactory conversation as your picture and sound will take a lot longer to be transmitted than the pictures and sound you receive.

So, if you are looking to use Skype quite a lot or you send lots of big files like photographs and videos via email, you will want a fast upload speed. If, on the other hand, you mainly use the net for browsing the web and downloading then just keep an eye on the headline speed and its cost.

The good news for anyone wanting to shop around without having to check out the websites or marketing material of potentially dozens of different suppliers is the fact The Commission for Communications Regulation, otherwise known as ComReg, has an excellent website (www.callcosts.ie) which allows you to look at all the broadband products on sale in Ireland and compare prices and packages with a few mouse clicks.

The same website allows you to unravel the complexities of your mobile phone bill as well. You can enter the average amount of minutes and text messages you use each month, the times that you most often use your phone – weekdays, evenings and so on, and your preferred method of payment, and the site will come up with a listing of the best offers to choose from in order of the cheapest.

But don’t feel you have to rush out and change provider straight away. If you are at the end of your contract with your current provider give them a call and inform them that you are considering changing for a better deal. You might be surprised at the sudden ability of your provider to become a bit more flexible around pricing.

Jaguar XF 2.2D Premium Luxury

DAVE WALSHE

MOTORING

TROIKA, AUSTERITY AND gloom are beginning to slowly turn to growth and brio. Our woe-is-me mentality has to stop and collectively we need to be more positive. Positivity is reflected in car buying, because it is a tremendous barometer of the mood of people and a country. To celebrate the emergence of these shoots of growth I have a motoring delight for you – the Jaguar XF. This is the car that shook up the BMW/Audi/Merc Troika when it was launched.

I defy anyone to find dissatisfaction with the looks. I fell in love with it even before driving it. I’ve never had so much attention in my life. Stand Clooney and Cole and the XF on opposite sides of the road and I assure you most people will be ogling the XF. The latest XF design tweaks are minor as the original was so good. Inside the interior is sumptuous. It has a high level of specification that when compared to the equivalent BMW/Audi/Merc would have people calling for a public enquiry. I had SatNav, Multifunction and elec/adjustable steering wheel, Bluetooth, reversing camera and sensors, keyless entry, stop-start, heated seats, leather, auto lights/wipers/dimming rear-view and wing mirrors and a first for me, touch control courtesy lights. These lights will become more common, mark my words.

The spectacular starting procedure in the XF sees the gear knob rise up and the air vents turn round to open. Press the start button and the beast growls into life. That beast is a 2.2l diesel engine with an 8 speed auto gearbox. It has Rolls Royce power levels - more than enough. It is refined too and slays the argument that a sporty executive car like this has to have a big cc engine.

On the road is as you would expect from an executive car, refined and responsive. I always felt I had loads of power on tap and the cosseting from the suspension is what you imagine a Jaguar to be. Set the circular gearknob to D or you can play with the 8 gears yourself using paddle shift levers behind the steering wheel. Gearknob for refined, sedate driving – paddles for sporty driving. I found every excuse possible to drive this car. My kids and colleagues were chauffeured everywhere without having to ask. Passenger and boot space is excellent and this is the perfect car to undertake a Trans Europe blast in.

Despite my love-in I have criticisms. The steering wheel controls need more feedback and I don’t like touchscreen SatNav’s. It needs too much finger/eye/screen concentration requiring your eyes to be away from the road for too long. Also, I don’t like the Jaguar face emblem preferring the leaping Jaguar one.

The XF rewards you on every trip and is a car that makes you stand out from the BMW/Audi/Merc herd (with the ultimate kicker) for less. With second-hand models at incredibly attractive prices are you still going to buy your new Avensis/Mondeo/Passat? It’s time to live a little again.

Your opinion in our 2012 SURVEY

SIMON DUNNE

ST. PATRICK’S CREDIT UNION (ESB STAFF) LTD.

ST PATRICK’S CREDIT UNION is currently carrying out a members’ survey and all our members should have received a questionnaire for completion by the end of May. Members who had already supplied us with their e-mail address will have received an electronic questionnaire, in keeping with our sustainability efforts, and all other members will have received a hard copy at their home or work address.

Members will recall that the last time we carried out a members’ survey was in 2006 and the views expressed by our members then have been fundamental to our key strategies on delivery of member service improvements and financial information. Once again this survey, in this our 50th year of successful operation, will give our members the opportunity to express their views on areas such as communications, lending and saving. The results of this survey will help us to understand how best we can meet our members’ needs both now and in the future.

The survey is being carried out on our behalf by Ipsos MRBI, an independent market research company and complete confidentiality is assured.

If for whatever reason you have not yet received your questionnaire please contact Simon or Carol at info@stpatrickscu.ie or 01-6325100.

Please note that the closing date for receipt of completed questionnaires is Wednesday June 13th and as a token of our appreciation every member who completes a questionnaire will be included in a draw for five luxury weekend breaks for two in Ireland.

Credit Union Competition

Win an iPod nano!!

To be in with a chance of winning please answer the following question and text your answer to 087 9858238 in the following format:

“CUCOMP followed by your answer (i.e. a, b or c) and your name”

In what year did St Patrick’s Credit Union carry out its last members’ survey?

a) 2006    b) 2008    c) 2010

Important Only one entry per person, no mail entries acceptable, and the closing date is the 31st July 2012.

Last issue’s winner was Brendan Foley, attached to Enniscorthy. Congratulations Brendan and your iPod nano is on the way out to you.