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Launched in 1986 as Eircell and acquired by Vodafone Group in 2001, Vodafone is Ireland's oldest and largest network. The network serves over 2.4 million customers and provides prepay, billpay, broadband and M2M services in Ireland. Big red operates the largest, most advanced and accessible 2G, 3G and 4G network in Ireland. Vodafone is renowned for its huge investments to give customers the best possible experience on their phone. They have the proof to back it, winning practically every major network survey year after year. Vodafone was hit hard by Three's acquisition of Telefónicas O2 in 2015 as their biggest rival now had significantly more customers. Vodafone had struggled to maintain its customer base as people flocked to networks offering cheaper, more affordable plans. However this trend has dissipated in recent months as Vodafone continues to add customers, have the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry and be the first to the market with innovate new technologies such as HD Voice, 4G+ and NB-IoT. Vodafone is the one network I keep coming back to for their reliability, industry leading customer care and above all, the feeling of being truly appreciated as a customer.
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Coverage & Quality
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There’s no more important measure of phone companies than their network quality. Since back during its famous “4G to the Rescue” marketing campaign, Vodafone has trumpeted its superior coverage, and for good reason: No other network offers the same broad reach, dependable speeds and consistent performance year after year.
Of course, Vodafone's competitors claim otherwise. Meteor, for example, manages faster speeds in many areas, and points this out whenever it can. Over the entirety of Ireland, though, Vodafone has the more dependable 4G service. This is a fact. Three can tout that they're in the process of 'The Big Upgrade' but thats a marketing stunt. Do they really think that customers should wait another two years (perhaps even more time considering recent delays) to enjoy a good network when Vodafone already offers what Three will have in two years time. Vodafone's network team deserves praise for its continued determination to push the boundaries and be the first to innovate. They were the first to launch HD Voice and 4G+, remain the only network to offer 4G Roaming, recently achieved gigabit speeds on their 4G network, have committed to investing a further €500 million over the next three years to improve and expand their network and are preparing for the launch of one of Europe's first NB-IoT networks next Summer. It's fair to say that if you're a Vodafone customer, you'll experience the cutting edge of technology. Vodafone is the only network to have 90% 4G Population coverage in every single county in Ireland. Where things start to get very interesting is when you hear just how superior Vodafone's network is. According to ComReg's most recent report, Vodafone is Ireland's fastest mobile network for both 3G and 4G with Meteor and Three trailing. Ookla, Rootmetrics, P3 and OpenSignal have all awarded Vodafone with the title of the best mobile network for speed, coverage and reliability. Perhaps not surprisingly, Three has questioned the authenticity of the reports but the fact is that Three needs to face the truth because they and Meteor can't hold a candle to the coast to coast omnipresence of Vodafone. |
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Three 4G Coverage (Indoor and Outdoor)
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Meteor 4G Coverage (Indoor and Outdoor)
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Vodafone 4G Coverage (Outdoor)
Prepay: Plans & Pricing
I've bashed Vodafone in the past for offering sub-par plans compared to their competitors. But Vodafone are one of the only networks to advertise their network truthfully. Three and Meteor on the other hand have relied on stealth and troves of asterisks to attract new customers. Three is the biggest culprit, advertising 60GB of data as unlimited, Meteor advertises 1GB of roaming as 'Free EU Roaming' and Virgin Media calls Unlimited Data 30GB. Vodafone isn't like this,
What you see is what you get when it comes to your plan.
Compared to Meteor or Three, one may scoff when they see Vodafone's prepay plans. But don't be so quick to dismiss. Vodafone has created plenty of benefits which are missing from other networks. Firstly, the My Vodafone app is excellent. It continues to improve month after month as Vodafone add new features. Conversely, the same apps for Three and Meteor are a mess, no wonder they only received one star on the app store. Compared to Vodafone, the apps are buggy, slow, lack key features and force you to use their website for the vast majority of tasks. Vodafone should be proud of it's app, which includes brilliant features such as the ability to top up, check your balance, change your plan, enter weekly 'Fantastic Friday' competitions, test network speed, redeem 'cherry point' rewards and speak live with a Vodafone agent for support. All this is free and comes as standard for every Vodafone customer, regardless of your plan or whether you're prepay or billpay.
Vodafone's plans have been improving recently. While their plans are poorer than those offered by other networks, they do come with unique benefits such as Spotify or Sky Sports. Whether you top up by €20 or €30 you'll have the best network in Ireland at your fingertips. Another bonus is Vodafone's 'Cherry Point' service which rewards customers with points every time they top up to be exchanged for free items such as phone accessories, tickets to events and even smartphones. This, along with Spotify or Sky Sports, the My Vodafone app and having the best network at your disposal are very compelling reasons to choose Vodafone as your prepay network.
If you're a student, you're in for a treat. You'll have access to the best prepay plans in the Irish market. You'll have the option to choose free Spotify, Sky Sports or Unlimited Weekends (Unlimited calls, texts and data from 3PM Friday until 11:59PM Sunday) on what they call Vodafone X. In addition to this you'll get unlimited texts, 100 any network calls and access to Vodafone's new 4G+ network, something that is restricted for regular prepay customers, all for €20.
What you see is what you get when it comes to your plan.
Compared to Meteor or Three, one may scoff when they see Vodafone's prepay plans. But don't be so quick to dismiss. Vodafone has created plenty of benefits which are missing from other networks. Firstly, the My Vodafone app is excellent. It continues to improve month after month as Vodafone add new features. Conversely, the same apps for Three and Meteor are a mess, no wonder they only received one star on the app store. Compared to Vodafone, the apps are buggy, slow, lack key features and force you to use their website for the vast majority of tasks. Vodafone should be proud of it's app, which includes brilliant features such as the ability to top up, check your balance, change your plan, enter weekly 'Fantastic Friday' competitions, test network speed, redeem 'cherry point' rewards and speak live with a Vodafone agent for support. All this is free and comes as standard for every Vodafone customer, regardless of your plan or whether you're prepay or billpay.
Vodafone's plans have been improving recently. While their plans are poorer than those offered by other networks, they do come with unique benefits such as Spotify or Sky Sports. Whether you top up by €20 or €30 you'll have the best network in Ireland at your fingertips. Another bonus is Vodafone's 'Cherry Point' service which rewards customers with points every time they top up to be exchanged for free items such as phone accessories, tickets to events and even smartphones. This, along with Spotify or Sky Sports, the My Vodafone app and having the best network at your disposal are very compelling reasons to choose Vodafone as your prepay network.
If you're a student, you're in for a treat. You'll have access to the best prepay plans in the Irish market. You'll have the option to choose free Spotify, Sky Sports or Unlimited Weekends (Unlimited calls, texts and data from 3PM Friday until 11:59PM Sunday) on what they call Vodafone X. In addition to this you'll get unlimited texts, 100 any network calls and access to Vodafone's new 4G+ network, something that is restricted for regular prepay customers, all for €20.
Shown below are Vodafone's standard prepay plans and Vodafone X plans which are currently exclusive for students.
Sim Only:
Ironically, Vodafone's Sim Only plans offer good value compared to some of the competition. Vodafone has more than doubled the data on some of it's plans in a move to placate customers who needed more data. While they're still not 'Unlimited' they do come with other benefits. You'll be free to move network whenever you want and can walk away with just 30 days notice thanks to the absence of a contract that locks you down. Thankfully, Vodafone haven't followed Three in their sneaky move to keep roaming fees at a time when the EU plans to abolish them this Summer. Both plans give you access to the best network in all the land and include unlimited talk, texts and the incredible My Vodafone app.
€25 for the first six months and €35 thereafter will get you 10GB of data while €30 a month will provide you with 5GB. And I nearly forgot to mention that the €25/35 plan will also give you 100 international minutes and texts, a super bonus for anyone contacting people abroad and perhaps the best international Sim Only plan available in Ireland.
€25 for the first six months and €35 thereafter will get you 10GB of data while €30 a month will provide you with 5GB. And I nearly forgot to mention that the €25/35 plan will also give you 100 international minutes and texts, a super bonus for anyone contacting people abroad and perhaps the best international Sim Only plan available in Ireland.
Billpay:
Vodafone's success is partly due to its billpay service which has attracted hundreds of thousands of high paying customers looking for quality and reliability. Once again, something that now seems to be standard on Vodafone's plans, Sky Sports or Spotify come free on all of Vodafone's billpay plans. Vodafone has also significantly increased the amount of data offered on it's billpay plans.
When you compare Three's plans to Vodafone's in terms of data, one would laugh at Vodafone. But you would be wrong to do so. As I mentioned earlier, Vodafone's customers retain the ability to use their domestic allowance abroad, something that Three and recently Meteor have potentially illegally abolished. I really think that if you're going to be travelling across Europe on business trips or simply on holiday, Vodafone is your best option. You won't have to deal with last generation 3G speeds abroad as if you're a Vodafone customer you'll be the only person with the ability to access 4G abroad in over one hundred countries.
Vodafone has three billpay plans, all of which are 24 month contracts. That shouldn't be a problem though as Vodafone's Network Guarantee program allows you leave after your first month if you're unhappy with their coverage, but let's be honest, theres few that should be. Probably the best plan for the majority of people, Vodafone's €60 a month plan features all the above benefits, Unlimited calls & texts, one hundred international minutes & texts and 15GB of data that includes access to Vodafone's new 4G+ network. Shell out €80 a month or €1920 over the duration of you're 24 month contract and you'll receive full access to the best network out there. The plan includes everything the same as the €60 plan but adds 400 more international calls & texts and doubles the amount of data to 30GB.
Ultimately, Vodafone's plans are the weakest part of their network but have improved hugely over recent months and unique benefits such as the amazing My Vodafone app, 4G+ and 4G Roaming, Cherry Points, Free EU roaming and free Spotify or Sky Sports in addition to having Ireland's best mobile network in terms of coverage and reliability make Vodafone the most attractive mobile network out there.
When you compare Three's plans to Vodafone's in terms of data, one would laugh at Vodafone. But you would be wrong to do so. As I mentioned earlier, Vodafone's customers retain the ability to use their domestic allowance abroad, something that Three and recently Meteor have potentially illegally abolished. I really think that if you're going to be travelling across Europe on business trips or simply on holiday, Vodafone is your best option. You won't have to deal with last generation 3G speeds abroad as if you're a Vodafone customer you'll be the only person with the ability to access 4G abroad in over one hundred countries.
Vodafone has three billpay plans, all of which are 24 month contracts. That shouldn't be a problem though as Vodafone's Network Guarantee program allows you leave after your first month if you're unhappy with their coverage, but let's be honest, theres few that should be. Probably the best plan for the majority of people, Vodafone's €60 a month plan features all the above benefits, Unlimited calls & texts, one hundred international minutes & texts and 15GB of data that includes access to Vodafone's new 4G+ network. Shell out €80 a month or €1920 over the duration of you're 24 month contract and you'll receive full access to the best network out there. The plan includes everything the same as the €60 plan but adds 400 more international calls & texts and doubles the amount of data to 30GB.
Ultimately, Vodafone's plans are the weakest part of their network but have improved hugely over recent months and unique benefits such as the amazing My Vodafone app, 4G+ and 4G Roaming, Cherry Points, Free EU roaming and free Spotify or Sky Sports in addition to having Ireland's best mobile network in terms of coverage and reliability make Vodafone the most attractive mobile network out there.
Device Selection:
Vodafone's Billpay service may be expensive but you'll have the ability to choose from the widest variety of phones found on any network in Ireland. Vodafone's selection of phones includes the biggest names in the business, including iPhones, Androids, Galaxy's and Huawei's so there's no shortage of choices. The Vodafone-exclusive Smart line of phones is present, of course, as are devices from HTC, Sony, Alcatel and more. Shown below are the devices available on Vodafone's Billpay service
Customer Care
What goods an excellent network without the customer care to back it. Vodafone offers the best customer care of any network in Ireland, period. You'll be well looked after no matter how big or small your problem is. Big Red is the only network to provide a dedicated phone line for it's network crew, something that took me months to contact on Three and Meteor. Their customer support is the most accessible too with free 24/7 support via their live chat service which can be found on Vodafone's app and website. You can get help through Twitter, Facebook and email. It's also encouraging to see that Vodafone's community is very active and is an excellent place to get a problem solved by one of Vodafone's experts. If all else fails, you can go into store, where you'll be looked after by well trained individuals who appreciate you as a customer.
Pros:
Vodafone is the best in speed, performance and reliability.
Added benefits such as Cherry Points, 4G Roaming, 4G+, HD Voice, My Vodafone app and Spotify or Sky Sports
Widest variety of phones in the Irish Market
Cons:
Expensive and less data than the competition
Vodafone is the best in speed, performance and reliability.
Added benefits such as Cherry Points, 4G Roaming, 4G+, HD Voice, My Vodafone app and Spotify or Sky Sports
Widest variety of phones in the Irish Market
Cons:
Expensive and less data than the competition
Verdict
What other phone companies claim to deliver, Vodafone actually does. Its network is easily the best in the business. Big Red continues to push the boundaries being the first to pioneer new cutting edge technology. Whether Three wants to admit it or not, their network pales in comparison to Vodafone's. They're consistently ranked first for customer satisfaction and win awards for their network year after year. Vodafone are the one network that I keep coming back to for the sense of knowing they'll have my back covered wherever I adventure and they're one of the only companies in Ireland who I feel express their appreciation of customers. Put Simply, Vodafone is the best network for you and your smartphone. So it's true, Vodafone really does give Power to you.
Published by Luke Kehoe: 21/04/17
