An email I received today (4-Jun-2013). Vodafone are finally shutting down 3 (on 30 August), and ceasing their roaming agreement with Telstra (on 30 June).

For comparison, I’ve put the equivalent TPG (Optus) and Telstra deals down the bottom.

To stay connected, you need to move from 3 as soon as possible.     View email online Support     Hi Ned,   Now it’s official and we have a date – we’ll be saying goodbye to 3 on 30 August 2013.   This means your 3 service will no longer be available after this date. To stay connected, you need to move from 3 as soon as possible.   Stay connected on Vodafone You’re already using the Vodafone network, so the easiest way to stay connected is to get a Vodafone SIM and plan. Just call our team on 13 33 20 and they’ll walk you through it.   Fancy a new phone? This is also a great time to grab a shiny new phone – we can chat to you about those options too.   Call our team now on 13 33 20 Busy right now?     One more thing… As we prepare to say goodbye to 3, we wanted to let you know that we'll be ending our roaming agreement on 30 June 2013, which means that after this date you'll no longer be able to access the Roaming Zone in Australia.   Thanks for being with 3 and we look forward to welcoming you to Vodafone.   Cormac Hodgkinson Director, Customer Care       Terms and conditions apply. This email was sent to you by 3 from a notification only address. Please don't reply to this email. If you no longer wish to receive marketing emails to this address, you can unsubscribe here. Copyright 2013 Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited ABN 76 096 304 620

 

And another email…

View email online Support   Hi Ned On 30 August 2013 we’re saying goodbye to 3. This means your 3 SIM will no longer work after this date.       You’re already using our network, so the easiest way to stay connected¹ and keep your number 0428133274 is to make the move to Vodafone before 30 August 2013. Grab yourself a Vodafone SIM and avoid being locked in to long-term contracts on one of our month to month SIM Only Plans. There’s several to choose from, here’s a couple that might take your fancy:         $ 20    SIM Only  Plan² When in Australia get:   $180 included value for standard national voice calls, TXT and more*   200MB of data every month²   $ 35    SIM Only  Plan² When in Australia get:   $500 included value for standard national voice calls, TXT and more*   1.5GB of data every month²   Infinite calls to Vodafone mobiles in Oz   A 2 min standard national voice call costs $2.15. A standard national TXT costs 28c. Additional data use in Oz costs 25c/MB. *For standard national and international voice and video calls & TXT/PXT, voicemail, calls to 1223 &1225, 13, 15, and 18 numbers, Vodafone Central (browsing only) & Re-routed calls4   Call our Tassie call centre on 1300 780 473.         The nitty gritty: 1. Only available to the mobile number specified above. If you have upgraded or moved the number specified above to Vodafone in the last 90 days, we regret that this offer does not apply to you. You remain liable for any charges incurred on your current contract with 3 until you upgrade and join Vodafone. Eligibility may be subject to a further credit check, the provision of ID documentation and the payment of any overdue charges associated with your existing voice plan until you upgrade. If service is disconnected within 24 months, you must pay minimum monthly spend including handset repayments for remaining months of contract and you must pay all outstanding charges. Any charges for devices, additional or excluded services will still apply. The account holder is responsible for any costs incurred by services on their account. Not transferable and not redeemable for cash. 2. Approved customers only. Minimum monthly spend is $20 ($20 plan) or $35 ($35 plan). Minimum monthly spend is $20 ($20 plan) or $35 ($35 plan). You must connect for at least one month. If you cancel during that month, you’ll still pay for all of that month. 3. Any extra data is $0.10/MB (charged per kB). Services subject to device Capabilities, network limitations & customer location. 4. Excludes some other services. Charges apply for extra usage. This email was sent to you by 3 from a notification only address. Please don't reply to this email. If you no longer wish to receive marketing emails to this address, you can unsubscribe here. Copyright 2013 Vodafone Hutchison Limited ABN 76 096 304 620.

 

Meanwhile, at TPG (who use the Optus network)… for only $15 a month you can get more than you get on Vodafone for $35 a month, and all without having to use Vodafone’s infamous “Vodafail” network!

Makes you wonder why anyone would use Vodafone? It isn’t like they are famous for having a better network, or being reliable…

 

And of course, on Telstra (known as Tel$tra for good reason) it would cost $40 a month to get a comparable amount of calls, and a whopping $70 a month to get a comparable amount of data… Seriously? $15 versus $70…