Hitch gags Vodafone customers

Vodafone customers wanting to top up or pay their phone accounts yesterday were thwarted by a technical problem.

The problem meant pre-pay customers who had run out of credit could not use their phones.

Frustrated customers contacted the Herald to say Vodafone's automated help service was also not working - meaning those who called 777 about the problem were cut off.

Pre-pay customers who had to call a different number and speak to a customer service representative - a service that has cost $1 since August - while 777 was down would bereimbursed the $1 charge.