Vodafone Malta is addressing the growing demand for internet on mobile devices with the launch of new post-paid plans called Vodafone Red.
People are willing to use more internet on their mobile
“We are seeing a marked increase in the use of mobile internet and I am confident that people are willing to use more internet on their mobile,” Vodafone Malta head of marketing Sandro Pisani says. “We analysed what our customers want and the trends here in Malta reflect the trends in other European countries. Mobile users want worry-free use.
“Mobile data is extremely useful particularly for our business customers. We have customers who are heavy users of technology. These are the people who recognise technology’s ability to make their lives easier and more efficient. Internet on their mobile provides them precisely with this opportunity.”
There are three plans, the Vodafone Red Basic, Vodafone Red, and Vodafone Red Premium, and each come with different allowances of internet data downloads, voice minutes and SMS. Data allowances can be topped up to satisfy an even bigger demand for internet on the move.
Asked why the plans also include a significant number of voice minutes and SMS given that the trend is in favour of internet, Vodafone’s head of marketing explained that the operator has followed the trends both locally and abroad and realised that people still want to talk and still want to text.
“So while data keeps them in touch with what’s going on around them, voice minutes and SMS help them keep personal communication with their family and friends. Customers do not like having to keep in mind which network they’re calling, or whether it’s a fixed or mobile local network,” Mr Pisani said.
Another feature of the plans is the ability to access mobile roaming at reduced rates. Vodafone offers a service allowing customers to call 1099 before the international number they want to reach and automatically benefit from reduced international calling rates.
When using the 1099 service, a mobile user can benefit from a flat rate of €0.25c per minute for EU countries and from €0.30c per minute for non EU countries.
“Vodafone Red offers a worry-free concept because it provides endless talk and text and huge data allowance. In the Red Premium plan we also included a bundle of minutes, text messages and data to be used while roaming. In this way, customers know what they are paying and what they are getting in return,” Mr Pisani continued.
“The allowances we are providing will ultimately help our customers put their mind at rest that they do not need to constantly check whether they have reached their limits or not and thus incurring extra expenses.”
Last year Vodafone launched a range of services provided through its smartphone crew, including free transfer of a customer’s contact list to a new mobile phone.
Training classes were also set up to help customers make the most of their smartphone and a new services was devised which enables the company’s trained agents to remotely access a customer’s phone in case of a problem and solve it without the need for customers to leave their home.
This latter service is only provided after customer consent is granted. The new Vodafone Red plans are available to both new and existing customers.