HTC Desire Vodafone 500mb Fair Usage Policy

Allan87

Where is the notice of these changes (other than the VF eforum)? I haven't received any text/email/post so assume it will be on my next bill but that's generated sometime around the 15th so if they're introducing the new terms on June 1st that's only a 15 day notice.

bym007

Allan87 wrote: »

Where is the notice of these changes (other than the VF eforum)? I haven't received any text/email/post so assume it will be on my next bill but that's generated sometime around the 15th so if they're introducing the new terms on June 1st that's only a 15 day notice.

Thats one of my concern as well. I have not seen anything sent from Vodafone apart from the messages on Vodafone threads. Since they have already announced it through their forums, it is official now, however, the terms and conditions provide that I will be getting a message from Vodafone either by Text, Call or Post. Correct me if I am wrong.

Hence, I am holding on to that template letter we designed above.

mr_fishbulb

I've just read through this thread (luckily not using my 3G allowance).

Playing devil's advocate here, but it seems to me the FUP has previously had a soft limit and was there purely to have something in writing to use on high use people who repeatedly went over this limit.

That seems sensible enough, but now after pressure by a bunch of people on various forums, Vodafone have been forced into a corner and have to put some formal definition around what is enforced and what will be charged.

Now they come back saying £5 will be charged for every 500Mb you go over the allowance. I'm not saying that's a fair price, but am I the only one here thinking it would be better off if people had left it alone in the first place?

danielz000

I can't see anything about how they have to contact you...

What ever they do they must be able to prove you read the message...

The forum is certainly not the way to inform someone...

I suspect a text or letter will be what they do... Who knows though... I wouldn't put it past them to not tell people properly at all...

bym007

On a side note, last night I installed and began testing how much data can I suck in a few hours on my HD2.

So in a few hours, while I was watching two 4ondemand videos (about 40 minutes each), some other youtubing, as well as emailing and posting here, I consumed about 274MB worth of data.

Now, I do not tend to use my HD2 so much, however, this is a testimony of data hungry these devices have become today. Being a telco engineer myself, I understand the pressures on these network providers.

But just like upgrading on "voice minutes capacity", aren't they supposed to increase the Internet bandwidth (internet connectivity for those who dont know) on their networks? Afterall, they are in the business of selling voice+data connectivity using these devices.

I can only assume that the network providers (just like broadband providers) love saving on investment side as long as they can. The customers unfortunately lose out in this saga unfotunately!

DarkConvict

The FUP was about if you exceed 500MB, we won't charge. But if you do it month after month then we will write/ring you and state you are abusing the FUP and need to limit your usage.

Basically they have now defined a cap of 500MB and want to apply it across the board. They gave notice on the vodafone forums which to be honest is a bit crap as most VF customers will not know about this change, much like when i got charged for paper bills which were free I never got a text about it. Vodafone have stated the change to take place from 1st June as such they have broken clause 7.2. by failing to give sufficient notice.

Vodafone however continue to sell contracts as unlimited, which would be in-breach of advertising (dialaphone caved in on this when i was about to do a letter before action). Unlimited is unlimited, you are not allowed to define a cap, it would breach advertising standards and then enters ASA, OFT, OFCOM into the fray.

MattJ_2

http://www.bitterwallet.com/how-to-cancel-your-vodafone-contract-details-and-templates/29324

I’m mad as hell and I want to cancel, dammit!
A note from us, then – we’re not solicitors, in fact we can barely dress ourselves. We’re not telling you to terminate your contract – we’re happy to offer advice and tools to take your fight further, but ultimately you are responsible for your actions. Please don’t take any of this as legal advice or a substitute for legal advice; we assume no duty or liability to you. Got it? Good.

• you don’t need Vodafone’s consent to terminate a contract. You can always terminate a contract and stop your direct debit by informing your bank. The issue is whether or not you’ll be liable for damages for breach of contract or other charges.

• the law and not the contract governs, so consumer law beats a contract every time. The supplier’s opinion is not determinative and nor is that of the regulators. Only the Courts can say whether a term is fair or not. What does ‘Significant Disadvantage’ mean? You may have to go to court to find out.

• ultimately, if you refuse to pay termination charges on the basis they’re unfair, will Vodafone be prepared to sue you for a Court Order? If they do –you have a defence. No summary enforcement is allowed where there is a genuine dispute so they cannot collect disputed sums as debts.

onpoint_2

DarkConvict wrote: »

If you have used the handset with the sim in generally you cannot return the item under the 7 day returns guarantee.

It doesn't say anything about not using the handset in their t&c's from what i've seen - I guess that could be subject to change at any given minute though...

bym007

DarkConvict wrote: »

Vodafone however continue to sell contracts as unlimited, which would be in-breach of advertising (dialaphone caved in on this when i was about to do a letter before action). Unlimited is unlimited, you are not allowed to define a cap, it would breach advertising standards and then enters ASA, OFT, OFCOM into the fray.

On that note, I made the effort of actually going to ASA's website and sending a formal complaint citing Vodafone's Advertisement in yesterday's Sun paper selling SE Xperia X10 with unlimited internet for £30 pm, and announcing the cap through their forums at the same time!

DarkConvict

I saw that post bym007 I assume it was your post on the last page :P

As to not using the phone, there is usually a label on the box of the phone, you have to break the label to get into the box i believe. Basically stating if you use the service (sim card in phone) you are agreeing to the contract.
Although i have seen it before where people do cancel and pay for only what they did use. There are so many variations between providers it is scary.