HTC Desire Vodafone 500mb Fair Usage Policy

TheLibertine

I'm just setting up this thread as a record. After constant assurances in writing from Vodafone staff that the 500mb per FUP is a soft limit, and only intended to stop tethering etc and abuse of the service, customers are now reporting being sent text messages saying you are approaching your limit and will be charged 0.50p for the next 5mb.

This is simply a record of Vodafone written assurances from their own eForum team should they be needed in the future.

Here is the actual thread, I've pasted some replies but can't put an actual screenshot in because I can't post links as a new moneysavingexpert member

forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/56799-htc-desire-500mb-fair-usage-policy/page__p__373384__hl__thelibertine__fromsearch__1&#entry373384

Posted 10 April 2010 - 04:11 PM
Hi TheLibertine,

When a data bundle is listed as having a Fair-Usage Policy, this means the stated policy limit (in this case, 500MB per month) is only a guide used to measure potential abuse, and there is no automatic out-of-bundle charging for exceeding this limit.

If however your data-bundle has a specific limit, such as the 1GB iPhone bundle, or one of the Mobile Broadband plans, then these are a defined limit with no Fair-Usage Policy. That means as soon as you exceed that stated limit, there are automatic out-of-bundle charges placed on your account.

If you are found to be exceeding a Fair Usage Limit consistantly and regularly, we may contact you and ask you to reduce your usage, or offer you one of the higher data bundles with a defined limit to better suit your usage - however, there will be no charges placed on your account without sufficient prior warning.

This information is correct at the time of writing, but may change in the future. If this process does change, then any customers on the affected price-plans or bundles will be notified in advance.

I trust that clarifies the matter for you

Jon

eForum Team


Please add any other examples if you have them...a lot of people have signed up to Vodafone on the basis of assurances that we wouldn't be charged.

DarkConvict

Vodafone charged me 2 years ago for using the internet on my unlimited package back when the limit was 120mb (although it was never stated) i got it resolved without having to take them to court as dialaphone admitted liability for misselling unlimited internet when it was not unlimited.

Vodafone are very tight with there data usage in my experience.

nm83

I was also repeatedly told over the phone by the advisor with whom I negotiated my deal that the 500MB was a FUP and not a hard cap, and that I would be receive warnings about my usage before ever being charged.

phoen1x_2

I was also told that the 500mb was a fair usage policy when negotiating my new deal over the phone. There has been widespread misselling if this turns out to be true.

MattHawkins

@TheLibertine, I think you mean 50p for the next 5MB not 0.50p.?

nm83

Also on the VF website: "http:// help.vodafone.co.uk/system/selfservice.controller?CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&CONFIGURATION=1000&ARTICLE_ID=874096&PARTITION_ID=1&RELATED_ARTICLE_CLICK=1&RELATED_ARTICLE_NAME=What"

"If your usage is excessively high, we will get in touch to discuss how you can reduce your usage - for example disabling peer to peer or other high bandwidth applications.
If your usage continues to be excessive, we may limit the speed of your service to reduce your impact on other users, charge you for excess usage or terminate your account."

TheLibertine

I'm going to post a number of things now from the Vodafone eForum, all the following posts from me are copied and pasted from what Vodafone staff have said on the eForum...(they have already deleted some posts in their own forum hence the need record things here)

TheLibertine

Posted 21 April 2010 - 05:19 PM
htcdesirefan10, on Apr 21 2010, 04:55 PM, said:
If you have umlimited internet actived on your price plan and you exceed this limit of 500 MB, you will be charged 50p for first 25 MB and once this limit is exceed then further £2 will be charged for every MB. The 500MB allowance is enough for light usage but if you download large files than u better use WiFi

TheLibertine

Yep sorry but you're totally wrong on this. There's numerous Desire threads where the Vodafone eForum team confirm you WILL NOT be charged automatically for going over 500mb. In fact the general consensus is that unless you are teathering or going way way over your limit month after month, then you will hear nothing from Vodafone.

---

Neoblade

Posted 21 April 2010 - 05:29 PM
Yeah you won't be charged as soon as you hit over 500MB. As long as you're not totally taking advantage and abusing it, then it won't matter. Plus I'm sure you'd be able to hop on a WiFi network if need be for anything heavy duty.

You can download an app though to keep an eye on your data usage, I believe NetCounter is one on the market out of many (free).

---

Posted 21 April 2010 - 05:39 PM
Hi Guys

I can see there's lots of talk about this issue,

NeoBlade and TheLibertine have beaten me to it with their answers, Thanks guys

if there's anything else we can help with please post

BenJ_Vodafone
eForum Team

TheLibertine

Posted 04 May 2010 - 04:05 PM
Hey Guys,

As far as we were aware this wasn't a hard cap however i have passed this onto our support teams to get a definitive answer for you all.

Once i have this I will get back to you with more information.

James
eForum Team

TheLibertine

Chat with live online Vodafone sales assistant

Posted Yesterday, 12:11 PM
Olivia: Hello, you're chatting with Olivia, one of Vodafone's online sales specialists. May I take your name please?

You: hello

Olivia: Welcome to Vodafone, what brings you to our web site today?

You: i was just wandering about the 500mb data useage

You: what happends if i go over the useage?

Olivia: For example for you - 500MB a month - enough to read and reply to 10,000 emails, download 25 Google maps and read 8,300 websites.

Olivia: If you went over we would let you know. You wouldn't be charged either. It just need to average out over the months.

You: ok thank you very much for your help

TheLibertine

Posted Yesterday, 12:27 PM
Hi guys,

I can fully understand all of your concerns in regards to this matter. As far as we're aware the Fair Usage Policy should still apply for anyone who goes over 500MB. We are currently seeking clarification on this though and will update you as soon as we have a 100% definite answer on this.

I have also changed the title of this thread slightly and moved it to the Mobile Internet sub-forum as this is a more relevant place for this thread.

George
eForum Team