Grr at the Telephone Company
0 Comments About two months ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS. Now, I wouldn’t turn down the 3GS, but lately I’ve noticed some issues with my billing from my telephone company – which will remain nameless (but you can guess if you know Australia’s telephone companies – it’s the one with the monopoly).
So anyway, I kind of have to be under service to this company because it’s the only one that has decent mobile phone coverage in my state. Which bothers me, because I can’t really turn around and say, “Help me or I’ll change companies”.
I got an automated text message from the company saying I’d gone over my data usage limit on my phone, which I thought was odd but accepted it. Then, when I got another message saying I’d used 134% of my data usage, I started to question it. Why? Because when I changed to the 3GS, it also changed my plan to a $49 Cap Plan, which includes $400 worth of calls & texts, but also 200MB of data (up from the 150MB I was on before). I checked it online, and sure enough, my ‘included’ data was only marked at 154MB.
I tried calling said-company on the phone at work today, but there was a long queue so I left it until tonight when we got home from dinner. I got through pretty much straight away, and explained my problem. The girl on the other end essentially told me to call back when I get my next bill (due to issue in the next day or two) and they could help me then, because they cannot see how much data I’ve used – apparently I’m the only one who can see it.
This, to me, seemed really suspicious – surely the company themselves can see how much data I’ve used?! And besides, I was only asking them to ensure that the included data on my plan was 200MB and not the 150MB I had previously – not to see how much exactly I’ve used. I surrendered, and said I’ll call back when I get the next bill.
My other issue is that with my previous plan, I had a ‘perk’ where I could call a number, which would divert to Michael’s phone, and I could speak to him any time of the day with the first three minutes being free. This was handy for us, because when I call him, it’s normally a short conversation – “Do we need milk?” – and then I have most of my discussions with him when we’re together. Now, it’s been billing me for calls under three minutes.
I don’t know what to do – I guess I’ll just have to wait for this next bill then try again. We’ve had so many problems with them before, but again because they have this monopoly, they’ve got us by the throats. I’ve never been with another phone company – giving them at least 10 years business through prepaid mobiles, mobile contracts, home telephone connections and internet connections. It’d be a shame to have to change, but I’ve just about had enough.
