Moved apartments, new residence does not have mobile data

Hi fellow Ozbaraginers,

Wondering if I could get your opinion on the situation.

So recently, I've moved into a new apartment with my partner and we realised that mobile data no longer works in the area we moved to. Phone reception is quite choppy as well.

We are both with Voda but we have had friends on Optus and Telstra using data in the area without dramas.

I can switch quite easily as I am not bound by a contract atm however for my partner, she is only maybe 6 months into her 24 month plan which came with a phone.

I've checked the ACCC with regards to cancelling a service as per https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees….

Would this be considered no longer fit for purpose as the area we predominantly spend our time (we work from home) does not have mobile data?

Thanks

Edit: forgot to mention the area we moved to was marked as '4G indoors' on the coverage map meaning we should expect things to work there.

Comments

  • It was fit for purpose at the time you signed the contract based off your needs, you understood the coverage map and what it provided.
    Your best bet is to hope for a gesture of good will but seeing as you have a phone attached you may have to pay it out completely without the bonus of the subsidized payments you enjoy monthly now.

    • -6

      When you're viewing a possible home…
      That's the time to check Comms

      PS It may be possible to improve sig's
      into your phone with use of a Passive
      Repeater - ie, 2 antennas connected -
      via a Low-Loss (at Voda's freq's)

      1 antenna is placed where cell sig's
      are strongest (if you're lucky, there's
      a place inside, that you've yet to find;
      else, try roof or balcony. There are
      app's that can show sig. strengths,
      as you walk around (try that first)

      The (outside) antenna should be as
      Directional as possible, so you can
      aim it at a nearby Coda cell tower.

      Of course, the 2nd antenna would
      be placed near a most-used spot
      for the Voda phone.

      Why do people:

      Accept 24-month contracts, w/o insisting on a cheap Escape Claise
      Use Voda

      Import a XiaoMi phone (eg, our 6.9-inch screen phone cost ~Au$300, on eBay
      (w/ lotsa RAM + 128 GB storage, no less)

      You might find "The Barefoot Investor" (best via audio, via Audible; free of you're a New Member?

      • +3

        Import a XiaoMi phone (eg, our 6.9-inch screen phone cost ~Au$300, on eBay
        (w/ lotsa RAM + 128 GB storage, no less)

        you missed a bracket

        You might find "The Barefoot Investor" (best via audio, via Audible; free of you're a New Member?

        see that last line… i think you forgot to press the enter key 3 times as its clearly much much too wide and is almost readable

    • Hi forgot to mention.

      On their coverage map, 4G indoors is expected. Since I've moved I would assume since the contract states I should get coverage in said location and I am not, the service they are providing is not in accordance to the contract if I am not mistaken?

  • +1

    Check the coverage map of voda, if it says your area is covered and you aren't getting coverage, it may help you if you talk to them about the contract as it puts the issue more on their court.

    • +1

    • Thank you for the information here, it defeinitely shows 4G indoors on the coverage map, so will give them a call :)

  • I know with Telstra, you can report a mobile black spot

    • Nu? So, what do they do about it? And… how soon?

      • +7

        Fixed

        Nu?
        So, what
        do they do
        about it?
        And…
        how soon?

    • +1

      I reported my area's mobile Black spot over 5 years ago to Telstra.

      Still waiting for something to happen.

      • Unfortunately I suspect something like this to happen if I stayed with Voda. Had a similar issue near my old residence. Its still a problem after 3 years.

  • Talk to Vodafone, they should let your girlfriend port out and just pay the remainder of what’s owed on her phone which Is a reasonable outcome.

  • +1

    Doesn’t Vodafone have “new” style plans where you are obviously locked in to the phone repayments for the contracted period, but are free to change plans (and even opt out to another carrier)?

  • Do you have NBN/ADSL, if so just use VoWifi?

  • Voda

    VF is crap around the CBD.

  • This has happened to my colleague, basically the exact same situation but he was with a different carrier. They cancelled his contract, no charge, so he could port to Telstra. Contact Vodafone and have at it, mate

    • Thanks I guess this will be our best bet!

      • +2

        I advise you to not listen to all the boohooers saying it's your own fault for moving to wherever it is you moved. OzB is full of these moral Ivory Tower residents.

        If Voda don't play ball, use the Comms Ombudsman as a bargaining chip cos telcos loathe to deal with the Ombudsman.

  • If you work from home why don't you have a proper internet connection, instead of relying on mobile data?

    • +1

      We are having our internet to be installed very soon but we still need to work through the Christmas break :(

    • Yeah who needs phone calls these days…

  • -3

    Your partner signed on to the new contract, everything was working fine and you moved.
    The coverage map was available when she signed. Nothing has change from the business's perspective.
    Now that you have moved into a place without coverage (which is your own choice) why should the business be left to foot the bill?
    The more ethical thing to do is to call them up and negotiate -
    if they are willing to let her off the hook FOC then great but i dont think anyone should take that for granted.

    • +1

      legendary noob indeed

  • Lol. That sucks major.

    Pro tip from someone who has bought and leased over a dozen locations, check phone and internet connection before making any further consideration.

    I actually walk into the property and do a mobile internet speed test and attempt to sign up to my intended ISP (I'll tell them to hold the order at the last moment). If the ISP is having trouble getting a technician or some other typical BS excuse for the area is actually not covered, I'm outta there.

  • have you spoken to Vodaphone about your situation?

  • Telcos are usually pretty good with this kind of thing. Call them and I think you'll find that they'll come to a fair arrangement.

  • You still can use it when you are around so you don't have hopes.

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