I knew I was in for trouble as soon as I opened the Quick Guide. The pictures, showing you how to insert the SIM card are so feint as to be useless. So I just pushed it into the slot, chip first and chip down - it seemed the most logical way. Wrong, of course. Mercifully, I have a pair of fine pointed tweezers in my first aid kit and was able to retrieve it, and in doing so I found the little tray.
So, plugged it in and it seemed to work, as far as the very brief instructions went. But no mention of how to actually connect to the internet, browser settings, etc.
So I rang the helpdesk (I love the way it asks for your mobile number. Mine isn't with Vodafone, so that confused it a treat). Anyway, after a conversation which was like trying to explain the finer points of terminal glacial erosion to a Bedouin tribesman, I was finally advised to uninstall the software and try again. I duly did this.
Now the device isn't recognised. I have a bad feeling that this may be the zenith of my customer experience, rather than the nadir.
Vodafone Broadband Reviews
-
-
Have never managed to get more than 150kbps. Average tends to be neared 60kpbs. Currently talking to help desk. All they suggest is trying a different location. I've just tried 4 central london locations, 2 in the open air so no building interference and I still do not get anywhere over 150kps. How they can claim top speeds of 7.2Mbps baffles me.
Stay away from vodafone mobile broadband.
-
i had the vodafone broadband i ended it when it was due for renewal as i didnt get any decent signal now i have FPC calling me demanding payments when i dont owe anything and vodafone cant explain it!! my advise dont go there!! -
Thank you all for the feedback. It supports stuff I have found elsewhere. I am a Vodafone mobile customer and was considering taking their broadband. Not any more! Their high-handed refusal to discuss with customers and clients and their enthusiasm to use FPC is not attractive.
When it comes down to it, if the service or hardware is not of 'mechantable quality' you are entitled to sue *them* for breach of contract.
Regards and thanks.
(btw emotion is 'Angry at Vodafone') -
Avoid vodafone they messed up my bill and every time i tried to pay vodafone thier billing system was down they then passed my details to FPC who have been hounding me ever since i have sought legal advice they have refused to deal with my solicitor AVOID
-
Signed up to 2Mb service and connects between 0.1 and 0.4Mb on average. Best result i got was 1Mb once only and my connection is always either excellent or very good. Rang up on numerous occasions and they refused to help me at all. Sent me same model and same problem. Was told that thats the speed it runs at and not faulty. Spoke to manager who had the authority to send me a newer more powerful dongle to achieve service i pay for but wasn't interested. Had option to cancel but pay remainder of contract. Once they have you they could not care less. Wasn't trying it on just wanted a service somewhere near what was advertised. I am that annoyed will be cancelling phone contract when that runs out as well. All of this to a business customer paying £75 a month. STAY AWAY!!!
-
I am disgusted with Vodaphone. I recieved a free dongle with my laptop. When the dongle stopped working i contacted vodaphone and was told i still had to pay for the internet service i could not use. Vodaphone then continued to pusue for the unusable service and i again contacted them and told them i would not pay for a service they were not providing. They then passed my details to FPC who have been hounding me for the bill.This has now damaged my credit rating. I have now sought legal advice. Avoid Vodaphone at all costs.
-
To: 'customer.care@vodafone.co.uk'
Subject: Complaint Vodafone Service
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express my disappointment in the service that your company is providing.
I have entered in an 18 Months contract for Vodafone Broadband,
On the 27th of March, my internet has ceased to work, there is a strong signal on the dongle, but nothing is being downloaded. Now, on the 30 March, I phoned and complained about this situation. I been told that there is a problem with the Mast (network) in my area and the engineers are working on the issue. On 2nd of April, as there was still no internet connection, other than for a few minutes, now and again, I phoned again customer service, and again, been given the same reply: the engineers are looking into the matter, but no fixing date has been given. On 6 April, I phoned once again, and been told that you’re migrating the systems therefore nothing can be done at that stage.
Today, 7 April, I phoned once again, and after being put through from one department to another, after 1hour and 23 minutes on the phone, I got the same message, this is 12 days later, “we are aware of the issue, our engineers will add your number to their date of base and will let you know when the issue is going to be fixed”. This is absolutely ridiculous. I am paying a service I don’t receive, and I strongly feel that you’re in breach of your contract with me.
In the same conversation, I have asked to cancel my contract with Vodafone, and I have been told that I cannot cancel unless I pay the remaining of my contract. Could you please explain to me how this works? Have you conned me to get into a one side contract only, are you only protecting your interests? What about customers interests? If you cannot provide me with the service that you have promised, why are you holding me down to a useless contract? I have read through your terms and conditions and I cannot find any articles that mention the procedures that must be followed when service is not being provided.
I am extremely disappointed with the service I received from Vodafone, and with the way your customer service staff deal with the customers.
I would like you to look into this matter and cancel my contract, without any further payments, or I’ll have no alternative to take this matter further.
Look forward to hearing from you
Yours Sincerely
This was sent in March 2009, now in January 2010 I cannot take their dogs of me, Debt collection company FPC has been chasing me ever since for £80, when I paid Vodafone for 12 mths of service over £460.
My advice to anyone reading this: Avoid at all costs.
It seems that I have no optoion left but to take them to court. -
Grrrr Vodafone, I,m gunna end up chucking my PC out of the window, yes go to their web page in order to get rid of parental control they want to know bank details your life history, whether you fart in bed etc etc why? I don't WANNA give them all this stuff. And as for connectivity grrr GRRRR
-
I started with 3 mobile broadband £15 for 15GB per month. What a load of rubbish, there was either very little connectivity or none at all. I attempted to return it before their 14 days returns period was up. However, because I e-mailed them within the 14 days and didn't phone instead, and when I did phone to cancel it was outside the 14 days, I was told I couldn't cancel as I was outside the 14 day return period. I'm still fighting this one!
Anyway, I since changed to vodafone mobile broadband, which the signal is better, however I do not rate it as being very good. I think I was expecting it to be as fast as a broadband line. How wrong was I! I also have problems with it's connectivity, it freezes on me if I use it for more than say 30 to 60 mins max, sometimes less. It does something to my computer and I have to close all the windows and it will not allow me to disconnect, so I have to pull the modem from the USB port which then causes my computer to crash, every time... AAAHHHHH!!!
I have also tried using their website to get help, but find the "help" page does not respond.
To anyone reading this: do not buy mobile broadband! -
Alex - you will need to login to your Vodafone's account control panel to disable the parental control. Visit..
https://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Page_AccReg_LoginService&pageID=MV_0000
Under the heading 'My Devices' find the link for...
"Manage call diverts, call barring and content control" BUT RIGHT CLICK THAT LINK TO OPEN IT IN A NEW WINDOW as this will keep the main account page 'safe' and if the other link page screws up.... you will still have your account page available without having to start all over again.
BUT...the website sometimes is in a real mess - so don't be surprised if it comes back with ...
We are currently unable to process your request as we are experiencing technical difficulties - please try again later or contact either by email, or by dialling 191 from your Vodafone phone.
OR IT MAY SAY...
Customer Notice. Sorry...
This service is unavailable. We're working as fast as we can to resolve the issue, and hope to restore the service soon. You can still manage your account by calling us.
If you call them up you MAY be on hold for ages, and the website email contact is not much better.
The best bet is to visit you local Vodafone store, (taking your laptop with you) and get it sorted from there...it's FAR quicker than the website which can CRAWL along - it seems faster if you manage the browser addons and disable flashplayer, but it's still very slow to load.
It's frankly quite shocking how Vodafone can get away with such an awful website which mostly doesn't work.
....and one last point, keep an eye on your vodafone billing and watch out your laptop doesn't download mass updates for windows (or other software) as it may exceed your bandwidth allowance.
(Has anyone else noticed how bloated and slow websites are these days????)
Hardly any are plain html/htm they are all flash or java based - with loads of ads which then use up valuable bandwidth! -
Alex, contact Vodafone, they are the only ones who can disable Parental control, now and then you will find that the Parental control will return but this is only a temp thing.
-
i have vodaphone broadband with my laptop -
how do i get rid of parental control? -
...Forgot to mention the Vodafone DELL Inspiron mini 910 laptop which is currently offered...which may help people thinking of getting one.
It ONLY has a disk size of 7gb, and NO cd drive so very little room to store much on it but apart from that it works very well.
Mcafee and other pre-installed software really slows the laptop down, removing them gains more drive space and it will work faster - although it does still get very hot (underneath) during long operation. It has NO INTERNAL FAN, so be warned keep it on a flat hard surface at all times otherwise it will 'cook' it's motherboard and may fail.
DISABLE all autodownloads from windows etc (unless you are in a HSPDA or 3G area) as this will slow your connection speed down - and may also max out your monthly allowance before you know it. You can choose either 1GB or 3GB per month contract. You will have to pay +£15 per gb extra if you use more than your allocated allowance. I went for the 1gb but was told I can upgrade at anytime to 3gb if required. There are usage levels shown in the Vodafone software, but I'm as yet unsure if they are accurate. You can also set your own warning limits too. BUT even though you may have 1gb/1000mb of allowance, do set your software warning limits at 500mb, if you are NOT always in a 3G area and use quite a bit of GPRS signal, as added together 500mb + 500mb will then equal a 1gb limit. If you set the warning limit to 1000mb as I did to start with, by using both 3G and GPRS means you have actually set your warning far too high at 1gb for EACH connection type, but you really have ONLY 1gb in total - so watch out for that!
You can SMS directly from the Vodafone software (nice and easy using the 910's keyboard!) and it will auto detect what mobile Vodafone service is available.
The SIM card goes and stays in a small slot near where the battery goes, making the unit very compact, no external USB modem is needed. It also being far less power hungry than a 'normal' laptop (like a HP550 I got with 3 for example) means the 910 works far longer, and is ideal for use in trains etc. Being small it's easily carried and the best thing, as mentioned before, is it CAN connect to a normal mobile phone signal from Vodafone, so works almost anywhere, although GPRS is only suitable for minimal bandwidth internet use, like ebay and email, but no good for youtube etc. If you disable flashplayer (tools-manage addons in IE8) things can run faster.
All in all I'm happier with Vodafones mobile service than 3, yes their customer service is just as poor as 3 and vodafone's online account setup is a nightmare (be warned you will have to UNBLOCK Vodafone's annoying 'content control' if you want to view so called 'adult sites' - but it will start to block normal classified websites and other non adult stuff.
Also the so called £20/month for 1gb charge isn't - the first debit will be about £35.30 (includes a +£4 laptop delivery charge, + VAT) and (like 3) they will also then auto charge for paper billing! This can be cancelled, but don't expect it to be an easy task!
To sum up - even in poor signal areas, the laptop with vodafone should work, and although to start with you will have a load of stuff to 'get sorted' but once done it should be a far better experience than with 3.
I still have no signal with 3, but am paying £30 a month...but do have a big HP550 laptop, which I can watch dvd movies on, store stuff and now can use my £20/month Dell 910 with Vodafone to connect to the internet.
It's not all bad! -
Be very careful about moblie broadband, test it at the shop before you agree/sign up to anything.
Vodafone is faster than 3, but then 3 is like a snail anywhere!
At least vodafone will connect to the net using GPRS, the std mobile phone signal (if no 3G or HSPDA can be detected), but it does suffer from 0bps hangups!
I started with 3 - a crap service, no signal - and even when in a 3G area it's about 15mins+ to download a 15mb file and uploading is 7 to 12kb/sec speed max.
Vodaphone is much better, downloads are faster but uploads are still slow. Go to MSN movies and try to download a movie trailer - 3 doesn't do anything but voda works well, even Sky news streams live well to, also on GPRS.
I think ALL broadband services will crawl slowly soon, more people using outdated networks, where the system has been rushed into service.
Give it 5 years (investment from all of us paying through the nose for a crap service and maybe then things will get better.
However this may not be the case - if BT had invested in fibre optics rather than blowing millions on crappy corporate identy logos (the piper on all BT phoneboxes!) they would have had a super fast broadband ready to go....
At least Virgin is making a start with fibre optics.
My point is really - don't expect 'Broadband' from mobile phone companies. Their systems were designed for minimal data transfer - Ok they have 'invested' in new technology, but it's way short of the expected demand...and when you use it ..it shows how bad things really are.
At least if you get a contract with a laptop, if the broadband doesn't work right, you do get something for your monthly payments! -
i have been thinking of switching to vodafone broadband but im not so sure now, does the 'sale of goods and supply of services act' not apply if their connection speeds etc. dont meet what they say?
-
Avoid Vodafone Broadband like the plague! Terrible customer service, expensive help line number where you will be on hold for hours and then cut off. The software they provide when you install the broadband (which is supposed to let you know how much you have used so you don't exceed your 3GB limit) is inaccurate. The first you will know about this is when you get overcharged and have to argue to get it refunded. Difficulties with their website make it impossible to set your account up and there is no easy way of monitoring your usage. The whole package is designed to rip off and overcharge the customer. This is a great shame, as the speed of the service if you live in the right area is very good.
-
In my opinion, vodafone has the worst customer service, very patronising, uninformed, even staff who lies. Should you have a problem with your service, you're in for a deep swim. For the last 12 days they claim that there is a problem with the mast(network) in the area, almost central london, and as a consequence I cannot use my USB broadband internet. I have spent serveral hours on the phone with them, and all they can say is that "they're aware of the situation, and will keep me updated as to when the issue is going to be fixed". No dates, not times, no nothing. I had requested to cancel this contract, but they're threatening to hold me liable for cancellation charges. They claim that only after 28 days of no service, I'll be able to terminate the contract earlier. Can someone reading this provide some information regardng this "28 days no service" or this is just another lie? I dont seem to find this anywhere in the terms and condiditions. This seem grossly unfair, and totaly one-sided. Is anyone out there experiencing the same issues? I'll never go to vodafone again. Major dissapointment and frustration. Stay away from this people!
-
i got this on a pay as you go deal where i top up 1 gb for £10 and bought it for £40.
the speed was fast, connection good.
all in all good.
Bought an o2 one a week before i got this and it was rubbish:
£2 a day for £7.50 a week or £15 a month and that's not unlimited - and what if u want to go on it 4 a hour?
The signal was bad, I took it back, gave me a refund and iPhone (only joking about iPhone). -
had dongle 3 months. signal always very poor although vodafone says im in strong signal area. keeps dropping out every few minutes.had new dongle and sim card, no improvement! i have e mailed vodafone to say if they can't fix problem i shall cancel direct debit, as they are not supplying the service i contracted for.
-
I am stuck in a contract with the original stick (now updated} to upgrade stick its full price,or cancel contract at a cost of 50euro and sign up for new one (would i be so stupid) It is so slow i could hand deliver message quicker.It cuts off and often i cannot get any web site up at all.so my monthy units will never be used up.I would not recomend AT ALL !
-
was really disappointed with this broadband . it is so slow and disconnects and freezes. you cant play games against others as it freezes. this is the worst broadband ever, whats worse im stuck with it for two years .
-
I was very much disappointed when I tried out the Vodafone Broadband. The internet itself is absolutely slow plus it disconnects every 10 minutes. Now I know what your saying that it's my computer but it has been looked at many times and no problems have been found with my firewall or anything. Vodafone has really let down the ball here when they tried this Broadband market. I would have to say that its one of the worst broadband suppliers ever.
-
I live in a rural location 7KM from an exchange and the BT engineer says he had never seen a telephone based broadband work at this distance and the continual drop outs were to be expected, plus getting 56K out of a 2M package was lucky at this distance.
Vodafone saved my bacon by putting a mast up 400m from our house. Now we get a constant 1Mb mobile broadband. Thanks vodafone. -
well hello please read and help me out here , i have vodafone broadband and i have a laptop and everthing works lovley on it all download speeds are good and quick so day are, but i have a playstation 3 which works as a computer ok, and i have a game which is called pro evolution soccer 09 and wen i go to go online on it this is wt comes up, " unable to transmit using udp port 3658 you may need to connect directtly to the internet or adjust ur connection device ie , router settings etc,
assign DMZ Port Mapping , configure NAT table and other router settings to the playstation 3 system . individual products may use unique terminology !! plz help coz i dunno wat this means like."
help plzzz !! -
Was fine for one year, now it runs at 200Kb after taking 10 minutes to connect, tried everything from new modem to new Sim card, reinstalled drivers(after a Error 2738 VBscript cannot access.....), the usage counter no longer works, I would go on but Iam boring myself. DO NOT get Vodafone broadband, it is as useful as a carrier pigeon.
-
how do u know that u dont go over your 3gb data allowance a month.. so u dont get charged
-
I've been using Vodafone At Home for the past 12 months, and i've got to say it's been great, in the past i've used freedom to surf, newnet, eclipse and ukonline, Vodafone have defiantly been just as good.
-
Ordered 8 weeks ago and have listened to excuses ever since. Vodafone are incapable of dealing with BT openreach. Dont go near it if you live in a rural area or have a situation which means they have to rely on Openreach.
Have cancelled today...8 weeks later.
Of course Vodafone has had my £125 for the entire time. -
Tried it, speed was dreadfully slow, left a steady 2mb orange connection to move to vodafone, contacted help desk several times to advise I now had connection issues and told them I would probably cancel within the 30 day satisfaction period. Vodafone asked me to wait and see if the service settled down but thankfully I insisted they made a note on my records that I was unhappy with the service and was delaying my option to cancel to give them time to fix the problem. I finally gave notice when my upload speed fell to 46kbps. They insisted I was at that point out of the cancelation period but when I forcefully told them I had only stayed as long as I had at their request, they then found the note I had insisted was placed on my records previously and gave in to let me out of the contract. I also used the "failure to supply" line. My £25 connection fee was refunded and off I went. To sum it all up, good customer support let down by misleading information off BT wholesale. Shame really.
