BestMate - reasonable use?

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simon14

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#15139 6-Aug-2007 19:37

Vodafone say BestMate is subject to reasonable use, so how much is too much?

For example, Bob has a g/f and has his g/f on BestMate. Bob's g/f doesn't like to sleep alone at night time so asked Bob to call her every night before she goes to sleep. Bob's g/f wants Bob to leave their phones on speakerphone all night long next to each other while they sleep, this makes Bob's g/f feel more closer to Bob and makes her happier.

So Bob uses 10 hours of airtime talking to his g/f every night (excluding weekends), is this acceptable and should Bob expect a call from Vodafone to cut down his usage?

Bob sends about 2500 txts per month through BestMate also, Bob sure is getting good value out of BestMate, thats for sure.

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#81335 6-Aug-2007 19:47

I would say that Bob would get his services disconnected after the first month.

pebbles

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#81338 6-Aug-2007 19:59

uh, I think bestmate is calls up to two hours at a time isn't it?

simon14

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#81340 6-Aug-2007 20:02

pebbles: uh, I think bestmate is calls up to two hours at a time isn't it?

Nope, thats the Talk for 2 hours for $2 promo.

bestMate is unlimited calls, video calls and txts to one nominated number.

Also, this si during the night, it's not like the network is overlaoded at this time!! Why would Vodafone care about Bob's usage if the network is only being utilised say 2% anyway?

mike

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#81348 6-Aug-2007 20:52

Check out the BestMates website - you can call as much as you want, but read the prepay T&Cs as well - excessive/unreasonable usage and you'll be asked to cut down.

PS. 'Bob' should be video calling with his gf/bestmate all night, not listening to her sleep.

simon14

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#81351 6-Aug-2007 20:55

mike: Check out the BestMates website - you can call as much as you want, but read the prepay T&Cs as well - excessive/unreasonable usage and you'll be asked to cut down.

PS. 'Bob' should be video calling with his gf/bestmate all night, not listening to her sleep.

Bob tells me his g/f isn't in 3g coverage.

Filterer

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#81366 6-Aug-2007 22:03

Perhaps Bob's gf should move into a 3G area,
Have you (i mean Bob) got good 3g signal in the bedroom ;0

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#81369 6-Aug-2007 22:29

2500 text messages to a single person - high but wouldn't consider it excessive, particularly given Vodafones 2000 vodafone to vodafone service.

10 hours a night (with presumedly more during the day if she has to be so close all the time) heavily excessive and while 'technically' possible under what is discussed on the bestmate introduction, it is excessive and probably not within the intentions of bestmate. This is where terms and conditions typically cover it.

When referring to the bestmate terms and conditions:

BestMate Terms and Conditions

Purchase BestMate on Supa Prepay for $6 a month and call, TXT and video call, as much as you like to one nominated number on the Vodafone network. This includes national calls, txts and video calls to one current mobile on the Vodafone network
BestMate Add-On is charged at the time of subscription and recurs every calendar month, either while sufficient Supa Prepay balance is available or until cancelled.
It is $3 to change your BestMate (a nominated Vodafone NZ mobile number) during a given month.
You can have only one BestMate Add-On per month at any one time.
Not available whilst roaming overseas.
If your BestMate moves their number to another network, they can no longer be your Vodafone BestMate. We will let you know if your BestMate leaves the Vodafone Network, unless you cancel your BestMate AddOn we will continue to charge you the monthly fee
If you transfer off the Supa Prepay plan you will forfeit the BestMate Add-On, and any benefits associated with the Add-On. Add-Ons are non-refundable.
Vodafone connection Terms and Conditions for Prepay customers apply.

Interesting - no 'fair usage' policy here. Lets check Vodafones prepaid terms and conditions:

5. All Vodafone Services are subject to this Fair Usage Policy. Vodafone may apply this
Fair Usage Policy where in our reasonable opinion your usage of our Services is
excessive and/or unreasonable as detailed in this paragraph. Vodafone has developed
this Fair Usage Policy by reference to average customer profiles and estimated
customer usage of our Services. If your usage of our Services materially exceeds
estimated use patterns over any month, then your usage will be excessive and/or
unreasonable. If your usage is excessive and/or unreasonable Vodafone may contact
you to advise you that your usage is in breach of this Fair Usage Policy. Vodafone
may then request that you desist from or alter your usage to come within our Fair
Usage Policy. If your excessive or unreasonable usage continues after receipt of a
request to desist from or alter the nature of such usage, Vodafone may without
further notice, apply charges to your account for the excessive and/or unreasonable
element of your usage; suspend, modify or restrict your use of our Services or
withdraw your access to the Services.

And there we have it... they've covered it under their terms and conditions which in all likelihood you agreed to when either signing up for bestmate or if not then, when you created your connection. In my honest opinion, 10+ hours a day is certainly would be excessive and would be tying up resources unnecessarily (though this may or may not be a problem). Apart from the possible advertising 'glossing' over (possible advertising complaint/false advertising?? I don't know as I haven't seen the adverts in great detail), I would feel that Vodafone would be justified for considering such usage as excessive.

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Fossie

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#81376 6-Aug-2007 22:42

I don't think the text messages would be a problem, but 10 hours a night? heh.

Sounds like go-large with their FuP.

rscole86

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#81378 6-Aug-2007 22:50

I think either:

a) Bob and the GF should live together, or if that is a problem

b) use a VOIP/SIP service and have free calling betweem the two users ie, xnet or skype etc

richms

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#81384 7-Aug-2007 00:44

Option c

use it till they kick you off it, go buy 2 new sim cards, repeat.

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#81399 7-Aug-2007 07:44

Seems to me if Bob's g/f doesn't like to sleep alone, that's a bonus for Bob (unless Bob is married of course)

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madman

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#81406 7-Aug-2007 09:03

Vodafone advertise BestMate as unlimited so no Bob shouldn't expect a call from them.

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#81408 7-Aug-2007 09:06

Probably their lawyers and corporatate marketing use "unlimited" like their counterparts in other mobile operators offer "unlimited 3G" (limited to 1GB a month)...

Really, what's the merit of this discussion. Bob's obviously needing some care for his mental state. Why having a cell phone connected overnight when no one is talking?

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#81410 7-Aug-2007 09:07

madman: Vodafone advertise BestMate as unlimited so no Bob shouldn't expect a call from them.

However, do they also state that terms and conditions apply in small print? In any case, its part of the prepaid terms and conditions which you agreed to by using their prepaid service

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simon14

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#81417 7-Aug-2007 10:00

Filterer: Perhaps Bob's gf should move into a 3G area,
Have you (i mean Bob) got good 3g signal in the bedroom ;0

Bob does have 3g coverage,

Quite interesting, just wondering if anyone anywhere had received a call from Vodafone to cut down? Obviously not, at least no one that anyone here has heard of.

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