Wrong number on phone

By Bridget Cook
A FRUSTRATED Casey resident has spoken out about bad mobile phone service from her mobile phone provider, after being forced to pay unnecessary bills.
Cranbourne North resident Ashley, who did not want her last name revealed, said she had spoken out as she believed many others experienced the same problems as she did.
Ashley, who uses Telstra, said she had to walk to the end of her driveway to make a call on her mobile phone and could sometimes send a text message if she stood at the window of her front room.
Ashley, who lives in the Eve Estate, said she was on a $270 mobile phone business plan, which included $900 worth of phone calls and wireless internet.
“I’m still forced to pay $89 a month for a home phone and $79.90 a month for wireless internet – something I wouldn’t need if I could use my mobile phone at home,” she said.
“Many families I know, including mine, have had to pay for connection to get home phones and have plans with those too because they are unable to use their mobile phones in their homes.”
Ashley said both she and her partner worked in sales, with their mobiles phones being majorly covered by their employers.
“If had service, I wouldn’t have a home phone, simple as that,” she said.
Ashley said her boss, who lived in Narre Warren South and her next door neighbour both experienced the same problems.
“My girlfriend and I have sent texts to each other before which come through five to six hours later,” she said.
Ashley said something needed to be done to improve the service in the area.When the News asked our Facebook followers about mobile phone reception in Casey, we had a huge response.
“Cranbourne East also has the same problems at the new estates along Clyde Road,” Steph Webb said.
Maryanne Harrison, who lives in Berwick South, said mobile phone service caused a headache for her as well.
“I have to go outside to get reception on my phone,” she said.
“If I am working in Cranbourne East, Pearcedale or beyond, then I cannot get reception at all.”
A hairdressing salon owner in the Eve Estate said all her clients had trouble with service if they weren’t with Telstra.
“I think they come to have their hair done half the time just so they can come in and check their Facebook on the salon iPads,” she said.
Providers Optus and Telstra failed to respond to the News before deadline about whether they had plans to install new phone towers in the area.
Vodafone said they were investing $1 billion to build a better network to bring better indoor coverage, faster downloads and a stronger signal than before.
“In the areas of Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South we will be installing a number of new sites in the both areas, along with undertaking a number of upgrades to existing sites in and around these areas,” a Vodafone spokesperson said.
“These are scheduled for early to mid next year.
“Vodafone has introduced a new online coverage checker, which enables customers to make an informed decision and select a mobile phone or mobile broadband plan with confidence that they will receive good coverage in their area.”