Tim's VodaFone News Page

25/02/00 WAP application available for 9110!!

Here is some info from the Nokia web page:-

The Nokia 9110i Communicator - with support for WAP services

The Nokia 9110i Communicator continues to support www-browsing and e-mail,
but the new add-on WAP services application software now allows users to
access mobile information services created for WAP-enabled phones.

This evolution of the Nokia Communicator highlights the blurring of
boundaries between the Internet and mobile networks. Mobile Internet
services such as banking, news or ticket bookings can be easily accessed
using a WAP browser. Access to these services is made even easier and more
convenient for Nokia Communicator users thanks to the device's large display
and keyboard. As many WAP based information services designed for WAP
compliant mobile handsets emerge in many countries, these services will now
be accessible for Nokia 9110i Communicator users as well.

The new WAP browser will be supplied as add-on software, and it is
recommended that the application is installed on a memory card for use in
the Nokia Communicator. Memory cards for Nokia 9110 Communicator and Nokia
9110i Communicator are available as separate accessories.
The WAP services application is supplied with the Nokia 9110i Communicator
and is aimed to be available during the third quarter of 2000.

24/02/00 Lots of interesting news!
                "THE MOLE" TV show on CH 7 is using the GlobalStar GSM/Satellite mobile phones!
I'm not sure which model of phone they are using.. but it looks like the TELIT model. If you want more info, have a look at my GlobalStar page. I will be adding more info to it soon. I watched the show last nigh. Looked like they had a bit of trouble with one of the handsets. I would love to borrow one of theses for "more througher and useful" testing and provide the results on my site.
                Lots of Dual Band GSM 1800 Cells / Towers in Sydney area
I have just got back from a quick trip to Sydney. Will have info on DualBand page soon.
                A quote from the ACA on changing Service Provider (SP) on the same network and keeping your number.
Forgot to add this to the news file a while ago.
It is currently possible to change service provider and keep the same number if you are changing between 2 service providers that use the same network. However, there is not yet an obligation on these companies to offer such a service. ACA.

19/02/00 New tower online at Queen St Mall in the Brisbane CBD (QLD) and Mt Samson tower (QLD)

10/02/00 News on NOV 99 coverage maps or really the lack of them
Apparently Vodafone have scrapped the Nov 99 coverage maps (some may have been distributed, I don't know) and are going to print March 2000 maps instead.
No wonder I haven't received my maps for over a month now!!
                New tower in the Queen Street mall (Brisbane CBD,QLD) soon to be online
                Dual Band cells have lost there "DualBand" Cell Broadcast
VodaFone for some unknown reason has decided to take away the extra "DualBand" at the end of Dual Band (GSM 1800) Cells. This is another stupid idea. The point of having "DualBand" on the end of the Broadcast was to let uses know they are in a area were GSM 1800 is available. Considering the lack of official info on the were abouts of dual band coverage, Even though VodaFone sells dual band phones, This new decision IS rather stupid. Maybe it's time i gave the customer service complaints another call!! Hmm...

09/02/00 WAP in for trouble as "Geoworks patent claim lobs grenade into WAP
Forum"
This is very interesting.... For more info look here!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/000121-000001.html

05/02/00  Merger and float news
News today of Vodafone Airtouch's merger with German Telecom to form the biggest corporate merger in history ($185 billion).

News also of Vodafone Pacific's plans (Australia, NZ and Fiji) to float approximately 20% of the company (about A$2 billion).

04/02/00  Official line on "Price negation on Upgrading" issues
OK here is the official story on how the price negation on upgrades.
Upgrade pricing is fixed, but you can ask for an appeal, which takes around 24hrs. An account manager looks at the account history (length of connection, amount spent, call plan etc) and bases a decision from that. So not immediately negotiable, but can pay off if you're a good customer.
Well its a pity that it is negotiable from the start!!! It seams that if VodaFone makes more money from you then you will get a cheaper upgrade price. Were is customer loyalty?

02/02/00 More info on "Upgrading" news (see news 26/01/00) Plus more "Mobile Bank" news
Have got some more info from a person who works for DigiCall:-
Negotiable upgrade pricing ?? I've been at work 12 days straight and we
didn't get any email from HQ about that.
Not sure what's going on here, This might only be available from "VodaFone Stores" Even though VodaFone owns both service providers.
Also some more info from this person about "Mobile Bank" (see news below 28/01/00)
Anyone can have a MobileBank SIM if they're with vodafone. Some stores are
really tight with handing them out as there isn't that many in existence. As long as the handset supports it, it's ok.
The person also goes on to say:-
The customer care people give me the shits sometimes.
I can agree with them... I am still waiting on my Nov 99 coverage maps.... The first time i asked for them i specifically asked for the NOVEMBER 99 editions. So what was i sent? The MAY 99 editions. That's very slack!
I'm not saying every one at VodaFone customer service are useless, there are some really helpful and knowledgeable people there, But unfortunately there are quite a few who aren't!! It has always made me wonder why VodaFone won't / don't want me working for them!!!

28/01/00 Some very "Disturbing" info from a fellow VodaFone user!
Tim , I thought you may be interested in the following for your Vfone pages.

I called Vfone about the new banking feature and was told that I should have one of the listed phones that they have tested. I replied that all phones compliant with the SIM app toolkit specs should be capable of working and could I try it out please. NO was the answer, if you don't have the models we have specified we will not give you the service.

I thought this to be a rather arrogant and typical carrier attitude, haven't they ever heard of customers and a customer relationship.
Well it's a bit sad as the brochure on MobileBank is missing quite a few mobile phones that are compatible with mobile banking. The Motorola L series is one example. I have had a few chats with people at customer service, Quite a few of them are a bit "Unfriendly / Useless".

26/01/00  Some interesting news on upgrades from a fellow VodaFone user
The other day I walked into a Vodafone shop, and asked about upgrades as I usually do... however the lady said, just a couple of days ago every shop received a email / fax stating they are allowed to negotiate a price with the customers who are upgrading then the store person (ie the lady I was speaking to you) will ring the 1300 number for you and make the deal over the phone with the people at the 1300 place, and your mobile gets sent out to you within seven days.

19/01/00 New / Enhanced coverage to Clontarf (QLD), Nudgee (QLD), Bris Airport (QLD), Northgate (QLD), Elimbah (QLD), Upper Caboolture (QLD), Rothwell (QLD), Beachmere (QLD) and Murrumba Downs (QLD) areas

14/01/00  Fast Fone unlocking (taking off of SIM Lock) has risen to $150 today

10/01/00  Price of unlocking pre-paid (FAST FONE, SIM locked) handsets rumored to be rising soon to $150, from the current $100.
04/01/00  Interesting figures on money making from SMS!
                I have discovered some interesting info on SMS usage. VodaFone says that there are 4.5 Million SMSs sent per week. Ok lets do some figures on this.
4.5 M X 20c a SMS = $900,000 dollars a week in SMS alone. Now lets compare that to what they used to make:-
4.5 M X 15c a SMS = $675,000 dollars a week. Now lets subtract it and see how much more profit VodaFone make because they raised the price to 20c from 15c.
$900,000 - $675,000 = $225,000!! extra a week!! Now you can see the real reason Voda raised the price of SMS.
That's an extra $900,000 a Month!! So were is all this money going to?? Well it certainly isn't going  into new tower sites or products and services!!!

01/01/00  Happy New Year / Y2K everyone!
                No "Happy 2000" or "Happy Y2K" Cell Broadcast today!
Glad to see VodaFone has started the year being VERY SLACK!!! No "Happy Easter", No "Happy Xmas" And now no "Happy 2000"!!