Vodafone NZ locking handsets

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#127888 2-May-2008 12:46

Its like non- fairtrade coffee. It makes sense for companies to rip off workers in third world countries, but that hardly means they're above criticism right?

Don't get me started on fair trade..That's up there with BP..

NZtechfreak

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#127895 2-May-2008 13:19

eXDee: I dont mind if its locked for the contract, or for a minimum amount of time, but $50 to freely use something that you own is pathetic.

Blah, no way im going to be switching to vodafone.

Exactly! Its like DRM, and how popular was that with consumers? Didn't exactly do much to encourage brand loyalty now did it...

To Sbiddle: Yes, it is like fair-trade and BP, which is why your comment about Vodafone bashing surprised me a little... But don't get started! No need to hijack the thread eh? ;]

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#127898 2-May-2008 13:25

NZtechfreak:
eXDee: I dont mind if its locked for the contract, or for a minimum amount of time, but $50 to freely use something that you own is pathetic.

Blah, no way im going to be switching to vodafone.

Exactly! Its like DRM, and how popular was that with consumers? Didn't exactly do much to encourage brand loyalty now did it...

To Sbiddle: Yes, it is like fair-trade and BP, which is why your comment about Vodafone bashing surprised me a little... But don't get started! No need to hijack the thread eh? ;]

I don't like fair trade I think it's a sham just like BP's business model! But lets not get off topic

There is one thing that nobody seems to have yet mentioned between all the Voda bashing - can somebody please tell me how much it will cost to get a Telecom Samsung W531 or Telecom Blackberry Worldmode unlocked? Telecom have been selling SIM locked phones for years now and won't let you pay $50 to get your handset unlocked!

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#127902 2-May-2008 13:36

Hey! Don't go off-topic and start mentioning Telecom here! No one is suggesting that Telecom is any better or anything in not mentioning that! ;] This thread is about Vodafone is all (but yes, I do take your point).

I mean I wouldn't say I'm loyal to Vodafone, but I am slightly less disloyal to them than Telecom (I think thats the right way to put it).

EDIT: Actually, on second thoughts call me an equal-opportunities basher, but why not bring Telecom into this? ;]

Also, good on Vodafone for ensuring their ground level staff know about this, so that they can be informed for their customers - just text a friend who works for Vodafone: he had no clue about this. Well done!

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brentbart

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#127914 2-May-2008 14:00

Also, good on Vodafone for ensuring their ground level staff know about this, so that they can be informed for their customers - just text a friend who works for Vodafone: he had no clue about this. Well done!

I knew about it on Monday so no idea why your friend wouldn't. To date, I've received 8 different internal communications about it ... drowning in them !

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#127922 2-May-2008 14:23

Hmmn, interesting - maybe he just doesn't read his emails! He's pretty dedicated though, I wonder if there have been regional or individual differences in the communication around this...

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#127933 2-May-2008 15:19

Maybe Paul can tell us what VF's policy will be for phone insurance claims where a phone is damaged beyond repair replaced? I am assuming that a phone that is unlocked before going into service will be replaced by an unlocked model? If not why not?

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#127954 2-May-2008 16:17

Could this be a move to make vodafone more apple iphone ready/compliant?

eXDee

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#127956 2-May-2008 16:19

hellonearthisman: Could this be a move to make vodafone more apple iphone ready/compliant?

Doesnt matter. Takes only a few minutes to unlock and jailbreak an iphone.

I agree, it is like DRM. It cripples, but this time its a physical item.

The only DRM that i've ever seen done right is Steam.

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#127957 2-May-2008 16:22

eXDee:
hellonearthisman: Could this be a move to make vodafone more apple iphone ready/compliant?

Doesnt matter. Takes only a few minutes to unlock and jailbreak an iphone.

And besides, some European countries have unlocked ones - just at a higher price (though I think it's got to do with the EU)

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#128063 2-May-2008 22:44

PaulBrislen: Hi all,

Vodafone?s mobiles are sold exclusively for use on Vodafone New Zealand?s network.

From 1 May we are locking new handsets to our network. All new handsets sold will include information about handset locking and how to unlock handsets.

Locked handsets can be unlocked for a fee of $50.

This is being done to protect the customers? experience of the Vodafone brand. Vodafone brands its mobiles with both the Vodafone and Vodafone Live! look and feel. If a customers takes a Vodafone mobile to another network, the customer won?t be able to access the Vodafone experience and services.

Cheers

Paul

wow, everyone. Welcome to the rest of the world.

the only reason that we've not had locking up until now is becasue there WAS only one GSM provider, so no need for it. Now there is 2 (or more), so it's needed.

The UK is all locked - tho you can get unlocked from the likes of expansys, but it's usually 3+x the cost, as it's not subsidised. I wonder if VFNZ is going to start sub'ing phones again :)

So, it's not all bad. NZ, get over it (and youselves)

As for this:

This is being done to protect the customers? experience of the Vodafone brand. Vodafone brands its mobiles with both the Vodafone and Vodafone Live! look and feel. If a customers takes a Vodafone mobile to another network, the customer won?t be able to access the Vodafone experience and services.

I should hope so! If I move to telecom, I dont WANT VF LIVE. Actually, if I'm on VF, I dont want it either, but thats another story - it's the first time I removed from my SP3i and SP5 when I got them.

I dont buy the customer experience thing. It's to keep people on the same network, and stop them getting a nice, new phone from VF, then jumping networks and keeping the same phone. Nothing new there, and nothing wrong with that (they DID subsidide the phone, right?), but it's not a user experience thing. IMO anyway.

Of course, here in London, every second store can unlock a phone (and advertises it). Doesn't seam to be a big issue.

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eXDee

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#128084 3-May-2008 00:06

It's not the fact that they are locking them. Its the fact that you have to pay $50 to get it unlocked. I think this should only apply for phones on a contract.

I don't buy the protection thing either. Agreed.

nic.wise

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#128094 3-May-2008 00:15

eXDee: It's not the fact that they are locking them. Its the fact that you have to pay $50 to get it unlocked. I think this should only apply for phones on a contract.

I don't buy the protection thing either. Agreed.

personally, I think no unlocking DURING the contract, and cheaper ($10?) outside the contract.

but this is only applicable if VF is subsidising the phone. If not, then locking is B.A.D, as I've paid the full cost of the phone already!

Nic Wise - fastchicken.co.nz

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#128098 3-May-2008 00:28

I don't buy the argument about protecting the vodafone experience at all. But hey, its vodafones decision. I'm not going to bash them on it.

What is important now is that they communicate this to their customers that they are buying locked phones that cannot accept competitors or foreign sim cards. Its important that they communicate the fee to unlock the device and the process to do so.

Otherwise, they could be breeching consumer protection laws.

In my opinion it still would be strongly desired for them to lock the phones for the duration of the fixed term contract, but provided that the above information is presented and understood by potential buyers - they have a choice.

You can always buy phones from parallel importers, or get them imported. By using them, you may get unlocked devices (perhaps at a cheaper rate) but at the expense of support from that operator (and perhaps warranty support in nz).

There is always the 3rd party unlocks too...

But hey - people have choice.

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#128143 3-May-2008 11:58

Why is locking reasonable when the phone is under contract?

If there is a termination clause on the contract, why lock it down?

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