Digicel vs Telikom PNG and bMobile: 5 Low-Cost Data Bundles and Packaged Plans You Should Know

This post compares the low-cost data bundles and packaged plans (data, voice calls and SMS) from the three telecommunication companies (telcos) in PNG: bmobile-Vodafone, Digicel PNG, and Telikom PNG. As a matter of discloser, the post is solely an independent review; focusing on disseminating consumer information. It is an unbiased analysis based on personal experience, research and customer care enquiries. Any errors are subjected to correction. So, do leave a comment below.

Placing value on the low-cost data bundles and plans

One factor needed considering when analysing low-cost products is money. On one hand, the telcos want to make more money. On the other hand, they know that they don’t make enough money with the low-cost products. 

The dilemma here is that most customers, especially the rural population and low to middle-income earners, prefer the cheaper data bundles (and plans) to the expensive ones. That is why low-cost products are the most popular products. However, the three telcos will have to sell more of the low-cost products in less time to make enough money, a balancing act.

Find out how to Transfer Credits from Bmobile to Bmobile or Telikom PNG numbers.

Data Bundles – K3, K5 and K10

Identifying the value in the data bundles is fairly easy. Yet many customers failed to use the low-cost data bundle because they do not know it exists. In fact, there is a better data bundle on offer.

From the table, Telikom PNG came out on top. Telikom PNG offers a whopping 100 MB for 5 days at only K3.00. Furthermore, the 200 MB for 3 days and 400 MB for 14 days are *3 times more data* compared to what Digicel PNG and bmobile-Vodafone are offering. This is an unbeatable value at the moment! 

 Telikom PNG offers more data 

Data, Voice Calls and SMS Plans - K3, K5 and K7

Subscribing to a plan is the best way to get value for money. Ideally, you get all the three bundles (data, voice call and SMS) in a plan when you buy a subscription.

One way to untangle the value is to compare the popular – most often used - plans. Examples of the plans can be found in Digicel PNG 1Tok Combo (*675#) or bmobile-Vodafone Moa Pack (*777#) or Telikom PNG passes (*777#). Below is the comparison of the three telcos 1-day and 1-week plans, the popular plans.

Click on the image to enlarge

Grade 12 National Examination Dates - Mobile Phones Banned During Examination Period and Other Exam Guides

August and September are the busiest months for Grade 12 students and their teachers. The students are revising for exams.

The teachers are conducting remedial lessons and school administrators are contemplating how many students they are likely to send to tertiary institutions. 

PNG Schools Exams in October 2023

Exams kickoff in October - see the exam dates here. The secondary schools who have been preparing their students all year long would be anticipating the exams. 

The schools having elections-related problems this year would be dreading the exams. One thing for sure is that the exams are coming and you've got about three weeks to prepare. 

The Grade 12 Examinations will take place over 5 days.

Ban mobile phones during exam periods

The education department, in recent years, had advised provincial education authorities and school administrators to ban mobile phones during exam periods. The advisory directives from the department include:

• Penalty for  exam cheating or assisting to cheat - non certification
• Teacher not allowed to view/access exam papers
• Mobile phones banned from exam rooms
• Principals and Deputy Principals must physically stay in school during the examination hours

Do you think PNG Govt and Education department should remove exams at Grade 8? Take a look at this article and let us know what you think.

PNG VISA AND PASSPORT APPLICATION KEY CHANGES to IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The Minister for Immigration and Border Security has announced a number of changes to improve fraud detection and abuse in migration services in the country.

A statement by Minister Petrus Thomas, says the changes, which will come into effect over the next few weeks, will also include a system to improve revenue collection for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority.

SOURCE: NBC News 14th September

To download the PNG passport application form (PDF Fillable), click here

PNG Passport Application fraudulent applications

Top among the changes is a direction to the Chief Migration Officer, to suspend the services of all freelance agents dealing with passports and visas.

A policy will be put in place to regulate freelance agents to deal with fraudulent applications, particularly freelancing agents.

SOURCE: NBC News 14th September 

PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA)

The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA) will also start collecting fees starting next year, which Minister Thomas says will help in revenue collection, while also setting up a receipting system, to counter fraudulent receipts presented to the agency.

There are also directions for a review into all APEC Business Travel Card holders, to deal with foreigners who abuse it to enter the country to look for work.

The PNG Immigration is also preparing a submission before Cabinet to revive the Taskforce dealing with illegal foreigners.

This task force will work closely with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on foreigners who enter the country illegally.

Foreign Investor Review Committee

A Foreign Investor Review Committee will also be soon established to vet investors coming into the country to do business or to invest in reserved activities.

The PNG Immigration & Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA) is responsible for managing Papua New Guinea’s borders in relation to the movement of persons into and out of the country. This work includes visa processing, integrity checking and compliance and enforcement activities.... [SOURCE: PNGICSA website]

How to Start: Young Papua New Guineans Can Invest in Stock Markets

This post is the beginning of PNG Insight's take on why young Papua New Guineans should start investigating possibilities for investing in overseas share markets - especially the ASX, LSE and NYSE. 

Investing is like starting a fire. For the fire to start, three things must be present: spark, fuel and air. It would be absolutely impossible to get the fire started if one of the three is missing. 

The investment must also have the right balance of the three starters: Research, Money and Approach.

Research: First, take the 'spark' as the drive to do something for you and your family not only now but also for the future. And that is to *find* out about investing - whether it be investing in the stock market (as intended in this post) or in other areas. Read. Read. Read.

After good research, put the research to test. This is crucial to find out whether the analysis (increase/decrease in price prior to the stock selection) is going to work or not.

One way to do this is to create an online account with the likes of ASX, AIM, ADVFN or any online platform that uses real-time stock market data. You can do this for free and easily. Here is a summation of 5 starter points: 

1. Create an online account (e.g. with ASX);
2. Select 1 or 2 companies (you can build the list of companies up over time) using your research;
3. Add the companies to your portfolio; 
4. Track your companies (from your research you should have a fair idea about the 'price-sensitive announcements'); and
5. Re-evaluate your research and choose what works for you.

* Note: If you are a beginner doing it yourself (DIY) the steps 2 - 5 can take several years before you are confident with your researches and, ultimately, where to invest your money.

Money: Second, the fuel is your capital - money. Young Papua New Guineans, especially those who earn a fortnightly income, *can* venture into capital investment.

Approach: Third, the right approach to grow your investment is like the oxygen to the fire. Starting a fire from a spark has to be a gentle approach. You'll have to make sure the wind that is blowing around you is not too strong or the soil too wet to get the fire going. Do not rush into an investment. 

You do not have to wait till you have got the money. You can start right now. Start with getting the *spark* going! Read about how to Invest in stocks and bonds or anything you could invest in for the long term and retire comfortably.

There are a few challenges of investing if you are living in the country. One of these is finding a broker. This is a topic for another post as it is a different stage - the stage where you are taking action. Right now is all about getting the little sparks going.

Starting is, in fact, the easiest bit. Most of you reading this post are on Facebook or Twitter. Follow the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) or London Stock Exchange or any account that meets your investment taste. 

Read the blog posts and articles about how to find the stock that is going to increase by 100% in the next 5  - 10 years.

Today access to the Internet is really cheap. For example, Telikom PNG data rates can enable you to read widely.

Some useful articles for you:

1) How to make money on YouTube

2) 5 Mobile Phone Codes to Make Your Friends Go WOW

3) 5 Popular Apps in PNG in 2021/2022

4) How to Make Money Using Your Mobile Phones

5) How to Send and Receive Free Credits

____NOTE_____
This post is the first of a planned series on investment in Stock Markets. The series will enable readers to *learn the importance of research and practice* before making a serious investment. Join PNG Insight on Twitter and stay in tune for more of the investment series coming up. 

Do you have accounts with Nasfund, Kina Bank, BSP or into POM stock exchange? Check out the latest Financial News, Savings and Loans, and Superannuation updates on PNG Insight.

MVIL: HOW TO TRANSFER CAR OWNERSHIP TITLE - WHAT TO DO BEFORE BUYING CAR FROM SOMEONE

I know the feeling when you don’t have all the documents required to transfer car ownership title the first time you went to Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL).

Produce the required documents in full will save you time and frustration, follow the steps and you’ll get title without hassle.

Documents from the previous owner

Documents from the new owner

1.    Original certificate – this is the registration certificate, including current safety sticker docket too. 2.    License copy – copies of both the front and back of your license 3.    State Declaration Form – complete the SDF and give details of owner and car and intention of title transfer, amount received etc… Ensure that the SDF is signed and stamped at the court house or by a legal entity.

1.       Bring the vehicle for inspection – MVIL employee at the enquiries will check all documents and inspect car              2.       License copy – copies of both the front and back of your license              3.       State Declaration Form – give details of new owner, amount spent, etc… Ensure that the SDF is signed and stamped at the court house or by a legal entity.

Note: MVIL requires that the new owner pays for a full registration before title transfer. 

This means that any unexpired registration fee, if any, would have to be calculated and reimbursed to the previous owner.

There are three things to do. 

As a new owner, you could let the registration run out (expire) then renew the registration and transfer the title at the same time. 

But, to do this you’ll have to ensure you have all the required documents signed and stamped with the previous owner.

 You can pay the full registration and talk to the old owner to reimburse the registration fee that is owed to you.

Also, if you are clever, you can negotiate with the previous owner to reduce the car selling price by taking into consideration the registration fee.