Vodafone backtracks on 'hated' bill plan

Vodafone customers despised the idea of paying for printed phone bills in the mail - so the company has been forced to pull the pin.

Vodafone has done an about-face on plans to charge for printed phone bills after an overwhelmingly negative response from customers.

Late in 2008 the telco announced it was introducing a new online billing system which gave customers text or email alerts about their accounts. This meant bills had to be paid online.

Those who still wanted paper bills were to be charged $1.50 for each bill.

"Our customers have told us they quite like the idea of online billing but they hate, hate, HATE the idea of being charged to receive a paper bill," wrote Vodafone external communications manager Paul Brislen in a statement.

The bills will now be posted out free of the extra charge and customers can elect to continue receiving emailed .PDF documents or text messages.

- NZ HERALD STAFF