Has anyone else been caught out by Vodafone's 'free' 4G?

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Has anyone else been caught out by Vodafone's 'free' 4G?

kezzanz

11 posts

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#142874 27-Mar-2014 12:16

When Vodafone announced that 4G was now going to be free, they did so with a press release that said

“Vodafone today announces free 4G on all current On Account and SIM only plans, and increases in monthly data allowances across On Account and SIM Only packages for new and existing customers – at no extra cost”

(full release here http://www.vodafone.co.nz/press-release/vodafone-offers-free-4g-and-loads-of-data)

My interpretation of this was all customers currently on an On Account plan would receive 4G for free. When I challenged Vodafone as to why I was still being charged they advised me that it is only free on those which they currently sell, I signed up to my plan a year and a half ago and it was no longer sold, so it was no longer current. Regardless that my account is still 'current'. That is what they intended to convey with the sentence quoted above. I feel that the language is ambiguous and easily misunderstood, and as a result, I as the average consumer would reasonably expect my 4G to now be free. My questions for ya’ll are.

On first reading do you also take the same understanding from the sentence as me?
Am I covered by a specific section of the CGA for this?

Cheers ya'll

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Vocus

#1013803 27-Mar-2014 12:18

This sounds more like Fair Trading Act territory, where they are misrepresenting the product. I'd say you have a case under the FTA to get them to improve the wording and give customers a refund to date, at the least.

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itxtme

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#1013829 27-Mar-2014 12:47

and increases in monthly data allowances across On Account and SIM Only packages for new and existing customers – at no extra cost.

Seems pretty clear to me that it includes all customers

johnr

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#1013830 27-Mar-2014 12:50

Current and grandfathered plans are quite different

Coil

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#1013834 27-Mar-2014 12:54

johnr: Current and grandfathered plans are quite different

My interpretation of that is:
4G is free to all on account plans. You can find our on account plans here: http://vodafone.co.nz/mobile-plans/other-on-account-plans/
It didn't say in there, You can also have free 4g on our grandfathered plans. I can see how we can have fun and twist what the intended meaning is. I am guessing everyone would have rather seen the word: CURRENT

kezzanz

11 posts

Geek

#1013836 27-Mar-2014 12:56

Sure, but the wording to me reads as though they are saying all current onaccount customers are getting the upgrade for free.

jjnz1

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#1013837 27-Mar-2014 12:56

kezzanz:
“Vodafone today announces free 4G on all current On Account and SIM only plans,”

I understood that it meant only plans you can purchase as of now.... For example a GET200 plan from back in the day which doesn't even have data wouldn't qualify.

kezzanz

11 posts

Geek

#1013838 27-Mar-2014 13:00

TimA:
johnr: Current and grandfathered plans are quite different

My interpretation of that is:
4G is free to all on account plans. You can find our on account plans here: http://vodafone.co.nz/mobile-plans/other-on-account-plans/
It didn't say in there, You can also have free 4g on our grandfathered plans. I can see how we can have fun and twist what the intended meaning is. I am guessing everyone would have rather seen the word: CURRENT

Its not really twisting the words, I interpreted it as current on account customers, which I think is a reasonable interpretation. Even after vodafone told me my plan didnt qualify when I queried it took me a couple reads to understand what they intended to say.

toyonut

1508 posts

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#1013839 27-Mar-2014 13:07

Looks to me like it depends on what you think are getting for free.
Was there a charge for 4g over 3g before?
What plan are you on currently?

The way you have phrased it makes it look like you expect not to be charged for data anymore, at least how I am reading it. I may be missing your point though.
You are still going to be charged at the current rate for whatever data/dataplan you use, but you will now have 4g on compatible handsets and more data for the same price.
If there used to be an additional charge for 4g then you have a case I think. Either you can take it to a regulatory body or ask to have your plan upgraded to a new equivalent one for free.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

johnr

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#1013840 27-Mar-2014 13:07

kezzanz Quote from your first post

Vodafone today announces free 4G on all current On Account and SIM only plans , Plans and customers are very different things

toyonut

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#1013841 27-Mar-2014 13:08

wow, a lot of people responded in the time it took me to type my response.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

kezzanz

11 posts

Geek

#1013843 27-Mar-2014 13:09

paulmilbank: Looks to me like it depends on what you think are getting for free.
Was there a charge for 4g over 3g before?
What plan are you on currently?

The way you have phrased it makes it look like you expect not to be charged for data anymore, at least how I am reading it. I may be missing your point though.
You are still going to be charged at the current rate for whatever data/dataplan you use, but you will now have 4g on compatible handsets and more data for the same price.
If there used to be an additional charge for 4g then you have a case I think. Either you can take it to a regulatory body or ask to have your plan upgraded to a new equivalent one for free.

Yeah there used to be a $10 charge for 4G. When telecom brought in 4G they made it free for all customers. To follow suit Vodafone made the announcement above.

I dont expect the data to be free, I expect to no longer pay an additional $10 to have 4G instead of 3G

johnr

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#1013848 27-Mar-2014 13:21

Incorrect we made it free for all current plans “ Vodafone today announces free 4G on all current On Account and SIM only plans " not customers

dacraka

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#1013851 27-Mar-2014 13:26

Does Vodafone agree that the wording could have been a little bit clearer though?

Coil

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#1013852 27-Mar-2014 13:26

I never saw the current myself until reading it again. I knew it was there somewhere. I dont think you can argue further with this one.

Coil

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#1013854 27-Mar-2014 13:27

dacraka: Does Vodafone agree that the wording could have been a little bit clearer though?

Its clear as day. Please advise further if you believe current means something other than plans we currently offer.

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