Ok its now October 2007, some time ago Orange  and indeed Three recently said they would be working towards pricing information fixed for 3 months.  This would have such an impact on dealers who would have stability and only have to worry about mid month updates. 

The question is where are they?  We openly ask the Directors of both networks to give us a date when this fixed 3 month structure will come into effect.  The fact that they have openly stated this is what they would be doing is commendable and we support such a move, which the dealers have wanted for a long time.  But it drags on and on and still no fixed pricing, so when are you going to if you will pardon me “Get your finger out” and do it.

The pricing updates each month are a major move for dealers who have to prepare their POS material etc for the following month.  Can the networks work together to agree between them to provide a standardised 3 monthly time period.  We are asking all the networks to give us or FONE an answer?

What’s in a word?  Many networks put out plans to the consumer which looks really good, even broadband operators entice customers in with the word “UNLIMITED”  but lets look at what it should mean.  The Oxford English dictionary the Encyclopedia of our fair tongue says of the word “unlimited” adjective not limited or restricted; infinite.  Now please note those words not limited or restricted; infinit.  Now some broadband companies have been hauled up and have been made to change their wording, so why are the networks who are the first to have a go at the dealers for saying things which are wrong doing it themselves.

Yes I refer to offers of unlimited texts and other offers they promote to consumers.  They then qualify this by saying subject to “fair usage”, ok this has been passed as ok by Ofcom, but sorry guys but if you are restricting this to fair usage which is a condition, then it cannot be described as unlimited because its not.  What they are really saying is that if you text masses and reach a certain level, then you will either get a warning or they will hit you with a charge or cut you off that is hardly unlimited.

Instead for example if fair use comes in at say 3,000 or 4,000 texts then why not advertise this as 3,000 or 4,000 texts per month a much more eye opening selling point than just “unlimited”.

A report just out says that Mobile phone companies are among the least trusted organisations by consumers to protect their personal details from identity thieves, a YouGov survey has reported.  It went on to say only 9% of consumers questioned said that they trust mobile firms and retailers, putting the industry 7th out of 9 in a 'trust league.' Only travel companies and gambling companies came lower.  With all the latest media news and debacle against mobile companies, perhaps all mobile firms including networks should go out of their way to explain to customers that their personal details are safe with them, we need as much trust as we can get, and dealers should not now be complacement on this even if the customer smiles and appears happy, the survey itself  proves otherwise.