For Brenda...
Published on Saturday, the 9th of June, 2007
I followed the advice of the lazywebs a while ago and bought myself a phone (Nokia 6100) on the local auction website then went around to the local Vodafone dealer and bought a SIM card for it.When I signed up I ticked the box saying "Enable Global Roaming" and now that I'm travelling I realise I should have actually confirmed that happened before I left the country, because it didn't happen. Now I'm sitting in Melbourne with only the (free :-) Wifi to keep me company.So looking at the Vodafone site, it appears that I could dial "777" to enable global roaming. Apparently I should have done that a few days ago, because it sure won't work now. Perhaps this "Manage Your Account" thingy will work? A period of perusing pages of FAQs follows, and I eventually conclude that it would work.Except that when I try and register for the service I am told that my phone number is not valid. Yes, I moved my old number across to Vodafone, about the same time Brenda was lamenting the inadequate preparation Vodafone did for Mobile Number Portability, and while the actual phone has been working, Brenda did note back on April 1st that "you can't use the website to manage your account". Two months on and it still isn't possible, which is pretty poor really - you would think Vodafone would be actively encouraging people to move across to their network.So I'm effectively phoneless until I get to Edinburgh and can buy a SIM card.At least I can still get on IRC and ask someone to call Heather and tell her why I'm not phoning.
I followed the advice of the lazywebs a while ago and bought myself a phone (Nokia 6100) on the local auction website then went around to the local Vodafone dealer and bought a SIM card for it.
When I signed up I ticked the box saying "Enable Global Roaming" and now that I'm travelling I realise I should have actually confirmed that happened before I left the country, because it didn't happen. Now I'm sitting in Melbourne with only the (free :-) Wifi to keep me company.
So looking at the Vodafone site, it appears that I could dial "777" to enable global roaming. Apparently I should have done that a few days ago, because it sure won't work now. Perhaps this "Manage Your Account" thingy will work? A period of perusing pages of FAQs follows, and I eventually conclude that it would work.
Except that when I try and register for the service I am told that my phone number is not valid. Yes, I moved my old number across to Vodafone, about the same time Brenda was lamenting the inadequate preparation Vodafone did for Mobile Number Portability, and while the actual phone has been working, Brenda did note back on April 1st that "you can't use the website to manage your account". Two months on and it still isn't possible, which is pretty poor really - you would think Vodafone would be actively encouraging people to move across to their network.
So I'm effectively phoneless until I get to Edinburgh and can buy a SIM card.
At least I can still get on IRC and ask someone to call Heather and tell her why I'm not phoning.
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The Commerce Commision
The Commerce Commision snarled once and then went back to sleep.
I've seen no reports of any penalty for vodafone's lack of compliance, except for bad "press" from put out bloggers.
For some reason after this
For some reason after this 'bungle' I'm not holding my breath to see portability completed. And thank goodness I didn't port my number before going overseas.
Number Portability in Aus
I recently moved my phone number from Telstra to Optus. I don't know quite how long its been with Telstra, but its probably the better part of half a decade and I went in and magically everything was transferred. I must admit it was an entirely painless experience and I even was able to log into the Optus Zoo website (the main reason I switched was that I was one of the original Telstra Prepaid Customers back when it was called communic8 but they still don't have Intl roaming, "our prepaid customers can't afford it", while Optus/Vodafone does (and I really like the prepaid model)).
Its a shame you've been through such a pain though, but I know what it's like to not have your phone with you when you're overseas.
I tried to port, but they
I tried to port, but they require signing a 12 month contract -- so porting is only for people who don't want to change telcos often.
I ran into the same problem
I ran into the same problem and the contract cancellation fees are ridiculous.