Vodafone drops wireless Internet usage fee

The company said the drop in usage fees made it more affordable for customers to browse the Internet wirelessly using their Vodafone Mobile Connect (VMC) data-card, giving customers "yet another reason to ditch the landline". VMC allows customers wireless connection to the Internet from their laptops.

The reduced usage fee allows customers unlimited access to the Internet on Vodafone's GPRS network, as well as sending and receiving e-mails on the move. This bundle also allows customers to download as much data as they can use within Australia.

According to Declan O'Callaghan, business marketing manager for data at Vodafone, "We now have a better Internet solution than a fixed line service because customers are able to access the Web while they are on the move. Our wireless Internet access covers 92 percent of the Australian population through our GPRS network, and this new pricing model means that this freedom and flexibility is affordable to business of all sizes."

Declan added that the slashed bundle is designed so that customers can go online "where it suits them, not where their landline Internet connection is located."

The AU$49.95 data bundle, used in conjunction with the Vodafone Mobile Connect, includes no lock in contracts and no minimum session or flagfall charges, so customers only pay for what they use.

Existing customers on the AU$150 bundle as well as customers on both the pre-existing bundles of AU$49.95 for 15MB per month, or AU$99.95 for 50 MB per month, will be given the chance to migrate to the new Vodafone AU$49.95 bundle to take advantage of the new price.

Vodafone launched its Australian mobile capped plans last July re-emphasising its "no contract" push and designed to "woo customers away from inflexible and expensive mobile plans and provide them with an even greater excuse to get rid of their landline or mobile contract."