[LINK] Vodafone software problems risk public safety

[Tom Worthington]

I wrote May 6 09:40:47 EST 2008 
<http://mailman.anu.edu.au/pipermail/link/2008-May/078081.html>:

>Vodafone changed to a new billing system in 2007
><<http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Vodafone-tries-for-top-billing/0,139023166,339282910,00.htm>http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Vodafone-tries-for-top-billing/0,139023166,339282910,00.htm>. 
>
>There appear to be ongoing problems with the system ...

When I was unable to see any of the 2008 billing details for my 
Vodafone mobile phone, with their online system, I complained to the 
Telecommunications Ombudsman.

Vodafone then promptly contacted me and arranged to send paper copies 
of the missing bills and call details (which they did). Also they 
refunded some items on the bill which I queried.

However, the Vodafone online system is still not working properly. I 
can see my latest bill, but if I attempt to look at Account Summary 
or Call Details I get: "An error has occurred. Sorry for the 
inconvenience - There has been a communication problem and your 
request has not been processed. Please try again later.".

This appears to be a systemic problem, not within the 
Telecommunication Ombudsman's power to address. Vodafone could simply 
respond to each complaint by sending a paper copy and offering a 
partial refund, without fixing the system.

If there is a problem with Vodafone's billing system, there is a risk 
of financial fraud from misuse of the system.

If the problems extend to the telecommunications system Vodafone 
provides, the safety of the public is at risk. As Vodafone's system 
is interconnected nationally and internationally, it places the 
entire telecommunications system at risk of fraud, crime and terrorism.

The ACMA <http://www.acma.gov.au/> needs to check if Vodafone is 
complying with its license conditions.



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                      http://www.tomw.net.au/
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Australian National University