Vodacom to help reduce roaming bill shock

Vodacom has announced the launch of a service that is going to proactively inform customers via SMS while abroad, about the roaming rates that are applicable in the foreign countries they travel into. The service, known as Roaming Tariff Information (RTI) SMS, is going to help customers avoid roaming bill shock. The RTI SMS service will notify customers on arrival at their international destination that they are in the coverage area of a foreign network; and it will specify the exact roaming rates customers are going to pay on a particular foreign network.

Commenting on this new offering, Portia Maurice, Chief Officer, Corporate Affairs at Vodacom says, “This service augments our ongoing consumer educational campaign on how to help prevent roaming bill shocks. By proactively informing customers about the roaming rates, this will enable customers to manage their roaming use carefully.”

Customers should take note of the rates in the RTI SMS, and be aware that roaming is more expensive than using the same services back home.

When travelling internationally, Vodacom suggests the following tips to help customers manage their roaming bill:

Data Roaming tips:

* If a customer uses a smartphone or a tablet, they must ensure that only essential data related activities on their device are enabled to avoid using large volumes of data. Receiving email, browsing the web, using instant messaging services and other applications should only be activated when necessary to avoid using large volumes of data and accumulating a high bill.

* It is also important to note that using a handset to check email, browse the web, use instant messaging or other applications, is not free when roaming regardless of whether these are available for free in South Africa; and will be billed at the applicable Vodafone world rate for data roaming.

SMS roaming tips:

* SMS Roamer is the most cost effective way to stay in touch. SMS Roamer disables customer’s voice and data capabilities and only allows them to send and receive SMSs only. It is available to all Vodacom Contract, Top Up and Prepaid customers.

* Activate SMS Roamer and only pay R2.75 per SMS sent.

“To introduce solutions that enhance the protection of our customers, is a critical priority for Vodacom and we believe this new offering will not only offer incredible added value, but more convenience and information too,” concluded Maurice.

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