Vodafone cuts prepaid mobile broadband to $99, doubles data to 1GB

David Flynn
06 October 2009, 4:03 PM


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Vodafone’s Prepaid Mobile Broadband Starter Pack now sells at $99 and throws in 1GB of data for the bundled dual-band USB modem.


The tug of war for the wallets of prepaid mobile broadband customers continues this month, with Vodafone dropping prices and adding data to its starter pack.

This is its second price drop in the six months since Vodafone entered the prepaid mobile broadband market. Its starter kit – which includes a dual-band USB modem that runs on both the 2100MHz and 900MHz 3G networks – launched at $149, which was later trimmed to to $129, and now stands at $99.

This includes 1GB of data, with recharge options starting at $19 for 500MB and attracting an additional 10% ‘bonus data’  allocation for recharge packs purchased online. Customers can also roll over up to 5GB of unused data.

Each recharge pack also includes a small number of free SMS messages which can be sent from the PC – for example, the $19 (500MB) pack comes with 15 SMS texts – although these are not available to Mac users.


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Esquire (New user):

I bought this when it was $129.00 used it a little but always had my home ADSL2+. Due to a move I recharged with 1GB for $29 and there is no way I could use 1GB of data in one month because it is SO DAMN SLOW! Ok, I probably could if I was really trying but I refuse to wait on frustratingly slow connections and I am in a full coverage area, Surfers Paradise QLD. Only expect to use this for VERY simple web browsing. If a page loads Flash you will be waiting forever.

06 October 2009, 5:27 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

petert (Advanced Forumologist):

Quoting Esquire:
because it is SO DAMN SLOW!

Are you getting a 3G connection ie is the light on the modem blue. If you are only getting a green modem light, then you are not getting a 3G connection; only GPRS and that is slower than a dial-up modem!

Nonetheless, slow 3G speeds has also been my experience with Vodafone - when I can get a signal this is! I travel a bit and even with their supposed upgrades, there are still few places where I can get a 3G signal. Vodafone specials sound surprisingly good, but between very limited coverage and poor 3G speeds they offer little.

06 October 2009, 6:28 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Esquire (New user):

Quoting petert:
re you getting a 3G connection ie is the light on the modem blue.

Yes I am always on a 3G connection but the signal strength usually says Poor. I must admit at some times it has reasonable speed, usually in the morning but in the afternoon I think that it gets congested, if this is possible, and slows to a crawl.
The biggest problem is that no one else except Telstra offer much better and I would never go with Telstra because the price is ridiculous.
At least with Vodafone for $30 you get 1Gb. Telstra gives you 225mb.
What can you do for $30 and 225mb, according to Telstra 'you could':
* do 15 Google searches,
* check your email 11 times and
* visit Myspace 8 times.
That is priceless... actually you just wasted $30 albeit a lot faster then you would on the Vodafone network.

07 October 2009, 6:48 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Potoroo (User):

My partner has Vodafone wireless and it is crap. Unstable and slow as a wet week. Companies like Vodafone are prime examples of why we need to cap executive salaries. If all the money wasted by Vodafone on their management and advertising was spent on the network just maybe the poor abused customer might see some useful improvements.

07 October 2009, 1:08 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Peter Ortner (New user):

Vodafone only sell this kit, so too bad if you already have a compatible device (or want to use something decent).

08 October 2009, 5:06 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Joan (New user):

I bought my Vodafone Prepaid Mobile Broadband second week of August. The first 3 weeks very good. Now horrible.....!!! My Location Dee Why. N.S.W.
Twice i complained to customer service hotline always the reasons they fixing towers at N.S.W.
I want to change provider.
Can i still use the USB using other company Provider.
Is there a way to unlock?
Cost?

Im using a lot internet to call for my Family.
I need a reliable and affordable internet connection.
I cant get line one. Im always moving.

11 October 2009, 5:20 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

petert (Advanced Forumologist):

Quoting Joan:
Twice i complained to customer service hotline


Sorry to hear your story Joan. My own experiences with Vodafone customer service are quite appalling too. The problem is that Vodafone are working hard on having the WORST customer service of any telcomm's group in Australia . . . and succeeding!

BTW, if you think it worthwhile, you could always make a complaint the the Telecommunications Ombudsman.

11 October 2009, 6:09 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

petert (Advanced Forumologist):

Another issue about Vodafone is that this is the same idiot company that had a naked person run onto the field (with a Vodafone logo painted on their back) during the 2002 Tri-Nations match between Aus and NZ . . . clearly one of the dumbest acts by any company in history!

12 October 2009, 9:24 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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