Since last year’s problems, Vodafone has been doing its best to appease its customers and reassure the Aussie population that it’s still a viable option as a mobile phone carrier. First there were rebates and discounts given to affected customers.
Next came not only the replacement of its network, but the installation of a speedy 850MHz HSPA+ system in selected Metro areas. Now Vodafone has updated its Network Satisfaction Guarantee, in order to help reassure customers that the past is the past and from now on things will be different.
I’ve decided to write this article as a Vodafone customer, rather than as a tech-blogger, so the opinions in this post are purely based on my experiences with Vodafone as a carrier. In order to understand the context of these opinions, I’ll first have to fill you in a bit on my history with Vodafone.
A Personal Vodafone Experience
I’ll make it clear from the outset that I am a new Vodafone customer, less than 6 months in to my first contract with them. I was never affected by the network issues of 2010 and as such have no lingering animosity or any personal grievances from that time.
I had been discontented with my last carrier for some time when my most recent contract finished up and decided it was time for a change. I briefly considered all my options before, inquisitively, deciding that Vodafone’s new network sounded great on paper and was also the best combination of coverage (which I wasn’t getting on my last provider) and price for me. With no small amount of reservation I jumped on board a 2 year contract with Vodafone and I haven’t looked back since.
In the months that I have been on the new network I haven’t had a single dropped call. I have 3G access in areas I could have only previously dreamed of and when I do it’s much faster than my last carrier, due to my being on Voda’s new 850MHz network. Of course the experiences of others may change drastically, depending on what device they have and where they live. I live around Metropolitan Sydney, so I understandably have good coverage. But even so I can still notice the improvement between Voda and my last carrier.
So sufficed to say I’m very pleased with Vodafone. I’m hardly a fanboi, nor am I performing some kind of lip service in order to obtain favour. I’m simply a happy customer that hasn’t had any issues and that has seen an improvement over my last carrier.
Now that you know where I stand, as a customer, I can continue on with the post.
Vodafone’s New Satisfaction Guarantee
Vodafone seems to have been doing well in the fight to get back some of its reputation. As I’ve stated, my experience the new network is great, even some of my friends who experienced the infamous coverage issues of 2010 begrudgingly agree with me.
Now with this New Network Satisfaction Guarantee there’s even less reason to fear switching to Vodafone.
“We’re confident you’ll be happy with our new network, that’s why we’ve launched our Network Guarantee.
Sign up on a new Postpaid Mobile or Mobile Broadband contract, and if you’re not completely satisfied with your network experience call our Customer Care team on 1300 55 11 98 within 30 days of commencement of your contract.
If we can’t resolve the issues you’re experiencing to your satisfaction, you can cancel your contract. You won’t pay any cancellation fees, simply pay for what you’ve used until cancellation takes effect.*”
via Vodafone
Yes, we realise that 30 days doesn’t sound like a huge amount of time, but it’s definitely enough to discover whether or not Vodafone coverage is adequate around your home, your work and places you frequent on the weekends.
As a customer I’m happy to see Vodafone realising that it messed up and needs to continue to make amends. As a tech blogger I’m happy to see that Vodafone is continuing to provide competition in the marketplace because more competition always ends with the customer winning. More choices means, well, more choices and at the end of the day that means it just comes down to a little comparison if you want to find yourself the best deal.