Vodafone’s been promising miracles for years, “Double the Network,” billions splashed on upgrades, drone-filtered ads… yet if you peel back the hype, it’s the same mess served with a new garnish. They might look stable enough, but real growth? Fading. People are still churning out in big numbers even with heavy promos.
Sure, there’s shiny new coverage in some metro spots, but plonk yourself in fringe MOCN areas and you’re back in DOS land, full bars, zero service, buffering like it’s 2009. 5G SA frozen over mid-stream is still a thing. MOCN edge coverage remains garbage, with rural users shaking their heads and walking halfway back to town for reception.
Legacy systems are cooked, phantom charges, phantom plan changes, “we can’t help you because the server’s having a day off.” The app’s about as responsive as a rock. Staff read scripts like karaoke, any unique problem and it’s “please wipe your SIM with a wet wipe.” You only get a proper fix after dragging them to the TIO. My billing mystery $280 invoice? Classic, only sorted after the ombudsman stepped in.
They’ve axed cheaper Infinite plans and bumped prices, now they’re trying to play Telstra-tier prices with Vodafone-tier coverage. MOCN looked like the miracle on paper, but plenty of dead zones remain. Coverage maps are pretty artwork; real-world service is still training wheels on a flat tyre.
The big shareholders aren’t invested in Australia’s long-term success. They’re pocketing dividends, selling off assets, and will happily offload the business with nothing left but the customer base. If the numbers don’t turn around, Vodafone Group may just pull the pin completely or merge it into something else.
I’ve dumped Vodafone except for one leftover service and agree with others here, Voda’s future doesn’t look bright. Pricing? Same as Optus. Coverage? Still behind. Why pick “Optus-lite” over the real thing? Their sweet spot should be city users who want reassurance of wider coverage when they travel, but those people still choose the brands they trust, Telstra or Optus, not waiting for a mythical reliable Voda MOCN signal.
Feels like the Titanic – sinking fast, band still playing, and you’re trying to stream your last moments on patchy 3G. People seem to be thinking and saying the end is coming, just a matter of time. They’re like a speeding train heading towards a cliff.
Thoughts?