Vodafone set to charge customers with higher fees: 'Cheeky doing'
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In a surprising move that has left many customers reeling, Vodafone, one of Australia's largest telecommunications providers, has announced a significant price increase on their mobile phone plans.
This unexpected hike could see customers shelling out up to $48 more per year for their mobile services, a change that has sparked a wave of discontent among the company's user base.
The news broke on Wednesday, 21 February, when Vodafone customers received an email notifying them of a $4 monthly increase to their mobile plan, set to take effect from 27 March.
The company justified the increase by citing the need for investment in its network.
'At Vodafone, we continue to invest in our network, technology platforms and security infrastructure to provide a better experience for our customers while handling an increasing amount of usage on our network,' their email read.
The company also assured customers that their monthly data allowance would see a corresponding increase.
A spokesperson for Vodafone explained that the price hike would impact many of the company's existing postpaid mobile plans.
'These changes have been made in response to the continuing high costs of doing business and to support ongoing investments in our networks, technology, and security,' they said.
Despite the increase, Vodafone maintains its commitment to offering value to its customers.
As part of the changes, the company is increasing the monthly data allowance for most impacted postpaid plans.
Customers affected by the price increase will receive at least 10GB of extra data, with some customers receiving more than 60GB, depending on their plan.
This move followed a similar trend in the telecommunications industry, with Telstra, another telco giant, increasing the price of phone packages by $2-6 per month last year.
This forced Australians to pay up to $72 more annually for their phone plans.
Brad Whitcomb, Telstra's small business executive, justified the decision by aligning it with the annual consumer price index.
'Like most businesses in Australia, we are also responding to increasing costs,' Mr Whitcomb said.
'We know price rises can be hard for some people, especially when cost of living pressures are high.'
'We want to be clear on why we’re doing this and what’s available if you need support.'
'Increasing our prices means we can continue investing in the things that matter for our customers,' he said.
Vodafone's sudden price hike has left many customers stunned and questioning the legality of the move.
'Cheeky doing while still in contract,' one person commented.
Meanwhile, a new set of rules is set to relieve the burden of many Australians as it offers a lifeline to those struggling to keep up with their bills.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has introduced a new industry standard, effective 29 March, that will require telecommunications companies to do more to proactively identify customers experiencing financial hardship and prioritise keeping them connected to services.
The new code broadens the definition of financial hardship to capture a wider set of circumstances.
It also requires telcos to offer financial hardship customers a minimum of six different options of assistance.
You can read more about the available assistance here.
What are your thoughts on this price increase, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This unexpected hike could see customers shelling out up to $48 more per year for their mobile services, a change that has sparked a wave of discontent among the company's user base.
The news broke on Wednesday, 21 February, when Vodafone customers received an email notifying them of a $4 monthly increase to their mobile plan, set to take effect from 27 March.
The company justified the increase by citing the need for investment in its network.
Vodafone has announced a price hike on its mobile phone plans. Image source: Facebook/MiGoldCoast.
'At Vodafone, we continue to invest in our network, technology platforms and security infrastructure to provide a better experience for our customers while handling an increasing amount of usage on our network,' their email read.
The company also assured customers that their monthly data allowance would see a corresponding increase.
A spokesperson for Vodafone explained that the price hike would impact many of the company's existing postpaid mobile plans.
'These changes have been made in response to the continuing high costs of doing business and to support ongoing investments in our networks, technology, and security,' they said.
Despite the increase, Vodafone maintains its commitment to offering value to its customers.
As part of the changes, the company is increasing the monthly data allowance for most impacted postpaid plans.
Customers affected by the price increase will receive at least 10GB of extra data, with some customers receiving more than 60GB, depending on their plan.
This move followed a similar trend in the telecommunications industry, with Telstra, another telco giant, increasing the price of phone packages by $2-6 per month last year.
This forced Australians to pay up to $72 more annually for their phone plans.
Brad Whitcomb, Telstra's small business executive, justified the decision by aligning it with the annual consumer price index.
'Like most businesses in Australia, we are also responding to increasing costs,' Mr Whitcomb said.
'We know price rises can be hard for some people, especially when cost of living pressures are high.'
'We want to be clear on why we’re doing this and what’s available if you need support.'
'Increasing our prices means we can continue investing in the things that matter for our customers,' he said.
Vodafone's sudden price hike has left many customers stunned and questioning the legality of the move.
'Cheeky doing while still in contract,' one person commented.
Meanwhile, a new set of rules is set to relieve the burden of many Australians as it offers a lifeline to those struggling to keep up with their bills.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has introduced a new industry standard, effective 29 March, that will require telecommunications companies to do more to proactively identify customers experiencing financial hardship and prioritise keeping them connected to services.
The new code broadens the definition of financial hardship to capture a wider set of circumstances.
It also requires telcos to offer financial hardship customers a minimum of six different options of assistance.
You can read more about the available assistance here.
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