Major users whose mobile phone accounts have been with TelstraClear on the Vodafone network are today at the wrong end of an unseemly squabble between the two companies. It follows the apparently acrimonious termination last Saturday of the pair’s wholesale agreement that dates back to 2000.
The good news is that both companies are assuring customers that there is no threat to their service.
Underlying the conflict appears to be an agreement between the two companies, dating back to 2000, that if TelstraClear ceases to deliver a mobile service under the contract, ownership of its customers automatically transfers to Vodafone. (Am I the only one who thinks this is an extraordinary clause for such an agreement?)
Vodafone however, has not started aggressively signing up these customers and transferring them into its system on Day One as some had expected. This may be due to the ongoing problems with its billing system, leading to inability to cope with a sudden influx of new customers at the present time. Such a delay suits TelstraClear of course, as they now have a window of opportunity to negotiate a replacement deal with Telecom and leave Vodafone out in the cold.
While the two companies squabble over which of them now “owns” these customers, TUANZ has a novel and revolutionary view. We actually think each customer is master of their own destiny. No doubt many will over time make their own choice!
Our advice to TUANZ members who are customers of TelstraClear Mobile is to do nothing in haste. Watch developments closely, and be ready to act as more information becomes available. Meanwhile if you have any questions or concerns please either post them as Comments below, or email TUANZ