Vodafone’s Free New Zealand Roaming

Vodafone Red Plan customers travelling to New Zealand will pay nothing to use their plan inclusions during a trial roaming initiative this year.

From February 1, for twelve months, Vodafone is waiving its standard $5 per day roaming cost for customers who use their phones while in New Zealand. While travelling, customers will be able to use all plan inclusions on the Vodafone New Zealand 4G network, including all data and international calling functions.

Free New Zealand roaming is only available to customers on Vodafone Red Plans, which include the $5 per day roaming. Currently all Vodafone postpaid plans come with the feature, regardless of contract length. Prepaid plans are included though.

“Many Australians travelling overseas continue to be denied the right to use their phones like they would at home, and are instead spending their holiday downtime searching for free WiFi or worse still, paying excessive mobile roaming rates. This is something Vodafone is working hard to change,” said Vodafone Australia Chief Marketing Officer Loo Fun Chee.

For travel beyond New Zealand, Vodafone Australia’s $5 per day currently covers 51 other destinations, including the US, UK, China, Japan and most European countries.

Don’t worry, start roaming

In support of this initiative, Vodafone research points to the vast majority of Australia’s still being concerned about the ramifications of international roaming, that only 17 percent of respondents to a survey indicated that they use roaming when visiting other countries. 70 percent say they don’t understand roaming costs an are afraid that using the feature will result in “bill shock”.

Two-thirds of those who answered the survey said they instead use a local SIM card bought after arriving at their destination.

When asked how much they would expect to pay when using their phone for a week overseas, the responses of all participants averaged out at $108. Vodafone Red Plan customers would pay $35 is they used their phone everyday of the week abroad.

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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