Vodafone customers who own WAP-capable handsets are likely to have received the following SMS on their phone today:
"We've noticed your [brand and model of phone], a WAP capable mobile phone (sic). We're sending settings for the My Vodafone WAP service so you get more out of your mobile and time"
Emma Terleske, public relations manager, Vodafone Australia, said customers can expect to receive two more as the day progresses. The second message sends users the necessary setting to access the WAP service and the third is for "setting users off in the right direction" pointing customers to Vodafone's Web site and an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number dedicated to My Vodafone WAP enquiries.
The SMS broadcast campaign, which is targeted at customers with little or no experience with WAP, allows users to start using the service straight away according to Terleske. However she says that "most will probably visit the Web site or use the IVR number first."
Terleske says that warning customers of the WAP service charges is not unnecessary and difficult given the limited number characters available for SMS.
"It's like any service on the mobile phone: people generally understand that they're chargeable."
Vodafone charges 22 cents per 30 seconds of access to its WAP service.
The SMS broadcasts are part of a broader WAP promotional campaign with strong similarities to those Vodafone run is to boost usage of its SMS service.
"We're trying to encourage people to use WAP service," said Terleske. "Everytime a customers uses WAP they'll be entered into a draw to win a trip to the Whistsundays."
The mobile provider is offering smaller prizes to promote individual strands of the WAP services, such as sport and weather.
Some media sources are today reporting that Vodafone has denied that it is struggling to survive since losing 41,000 customers in the three months to September. According to those reports Vodafone is trying to maximise its revenue per customer.
Andrew Colley is a Vodafone customer
Vodafone have put it on themselves, with them loosing 41,000 customers in such a short time, and its obvious what led them to leave. Its the simple fact of how they just keep jacking up there prices, when i started i was on the standard plan with 22cents per minute in off peak and 5 cents to any vodafone off peak. nowadays its much much more expensive than that, and they have now introduced flagfalls. atleast other companys like optus introduce good incentives to stay with them like optus free time. vodafone just have cheaper rates to other vodafones..wow.. so i can tell you now that they have certantly lost another customer.