Vodafone backs down - re-instates 3GB free data deal
After an outcry from NBR readers, Vodafone has pulled back from its plan to axe its gobs of free data for iPhone and other smartphone users - but there's a catch.
After an outcry from NBR readers, and beyond, Vodafone has pulled back from its plan to axe its gobs of free data for iPhone and other smartphone users.
But there's a catch. The 3GB of free data can only be secured by signing up for a term contract by August 23 - although people already on one of the carrier's "Smart" plans will get the free data deal extended for the life of their plan.
News of Vodafone's plan to axe the popular 3GB bonus was first revealed by NBR on Tuesday.
Although Vodafone had always pitched the plan as a temporary bonus (initially for three months after it was first introduced in July 2009) it was rolled over for month after month to head off competition form Telecom's XT and 2degrees, acclimatising customers to the extra data (and 1000 free pxts).
A big majority of reader comments expressed outrage. A common theme was that they planned to take their smartphone to 2degrees or Telecom as soon as their contract was up.
Vodafone, it seems, was keeping tabs on that feedback.
RAW DATA: Vodafone's statement just released:
Customer feedback has seen Vodafone’s popular 3GB bonus data bundle (which is included across all Vodafone Smart Plans) extended for the life of the customers plan. Earlier this week Vodafone announced that they were removing the 3GB bonus data offer from market. However customers who have enjoyed the bonus for up to two years rallied, letting Vodafone know that this was a key offer that they didn’t want removed.
Vodafone’s General Manager of Consumer Marketing, Kursten Shalfoon says, “We were surprised by the extend of the feedback from customers, and even though our customer usage profile shows the majority aren’t using close to 3GB of data, there are many customers who have told us they value the freedom of having such a large data bundle. We are happy to announce the re-instatement of the bonus offer, and better yet, we’ll give our customers certainty by extending it for the life of their plan”.
Customers who sign up to any Smart plan before 23 August will automatically receive the 3GB bonus data pack for the rest of the life of the plan. Along with that they will also receive double minutes for the life of the plan. Current customers who are enjoying the 3GB bonus will also receive this offer for the life of their plan.
Vodafone axes 3GB free data
TUESDAY AUGUST 2: Later this week, Vodafone will axe its free 3GB of data (and 1000 free pxts) promotion for smartphone users.
People who joined a plan with the free 3GB as a sign-up incentive will continue to get the bonus data for six months.
Vodafone’s general manager of consumer marketing, Kursten Shalfoon broke the news at a broadband mobile data update this morning.
If NBR reader comments (see below) and reaction on Twitter (here) are anything to go by, the move hasn't gone down well with users who've become accumstomed to the monthly freebie.
The gobs of free gigabytes were originally introduced for a three-month period starting July 2009 to head off Telecom's attempt to lure iPhone users to the (then) recently-launched XT.
It was subsequently extended to cover all smartphone users on the company's "Smart" series of plans.
But as competition for smartphone users intensified - more so with 2degrees' 3G upgrade and Telecom's (still current) $800 bounty for heavy data users to bring their Apple handset to its network - Vodafone kept extending its 3GB free detail for month after month.
Now, it's the end of the golden weather.
So iPhone users on Vodafone: start keeping a closer eye on your data usage.
Vodafone's iPhone plans come with between 250MB and 1GB of bundled data.
The company's general mobile broadband plans include $51.05 for 2GB and $71.50 for 4GB options.
At the same briefing, Vodafone general manager of business marketing, Becky Lloyd, said the company was on the verge of introducing a new system for mobile data. The current 80% txt warning will remain, but now also be supplemented by with direction to a website where the customer can buy an extra data bundle rather than go onto punitive (NBR's word) excess charges.
Chris Keall
Thu, 04 Aug 2011
Thu, 04 Aug 2011
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Vodafone backs down - re-instates 3GB free data deal
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