Tips for Staying in Touch During An Emergency

Friday, 10 September 2010, 2:45 pm
Press Release: Vodafone

Tips for Staying in Touch During An Emergency

At Vodafone, we recognise the impact that the Canterbury earthquake has had on everybody, particularly those directly affected. Our customer service centre is here to help. If there is something preventing you from using our services or you need to discuss your personal circumstances please don’t hesitate to call us.

Our network is holding up well although you may find you experience some intermittent difficulties.

For the latest information on the status of our network please check out our website www.vodafone.co.nz.

To assist you we have put together the following helpful tips to help you stay in touch.

Save an ICE number in your mobile phone

If something happens to you, first responders, such as paramedics, fire fighters, and police officers, may check your mobile phone's address book for your ICE (in case of emergency) number to contact your next of kin to help identify you and obtain important medical information. Just enter your next of kin's contact number in your phone's address book and in the contact name field type "ICE".

Make a copy of the important numbers in your address book

If you lost your mobile or couldn't get to it, would you know you friend's and family's mobile or landline numbers?

Write important numbers down and keep them with your first aid kit

All of the emergency services numbers can be found on the red Emergency Services pages at the front of your White Pages telephone book.

Calling and getting online during a power outage

If the power is out at your home or business and you need to charge your mobile phone, you can charge it in your car using a car charger. These are relatively inexpensive and available from a large number of retails outlets.

A Prepay mobile broadband connection could get you online quickly. It uses your laptop's battery rather than requiring mains power.

Saving your mobile’s battery

TXT rather than call as it uses less of your mobile's battery power. It also keeps cell-sites working for longer for everyone should they switch to battery power.

Switching your mobile from 3G to 2G can make your battery last longer in an emergency, when you still need to be contactable.

Can’t get to a shop to top up your Prepay?

Prepay IOU: If you run out of credit, just TXT IOU to 468 and we'll flick you $5 credit instantly. Next time you top-up you'll simply repay the $5 plus a 20c service fee.

Call Me: A free service that enables you to TXT anyone on the Vodafone network, asking them to call you. TXT the Vodafone number of the person you want to call you to 798. That person will receive a TXT asking them to call your number.

Other ways to top-up: Online using your credit card, via you mobile using Hotlink and, of course, you can call us on 777.

Divert calls from your Vodafone landline to any New Zealand number

To help our customers, Vodafone has agreed to provide diversions from your Vodafone fixed line home phone to your mobile phone number of choice without any of the usual charges.

If you feel this will suit your situation, please contact us on the following numbers to speak to a Vodafone agent:

Consumer customers - 0800 438 448
Business Customers - 0800 438 458

Divert your calls from your Vodafone mobile to any New Zealand number

If you can't answer your mobile, call forward takes care of it for you by automatically diverting the call to voicemail or to any other number you specify.

Your mobile will have an option called 'Divert Calls' (or something similar) under its 'Settings' or 'Profile' menu. Just follow the on-screen prompts to activate or deactivate your call Forward options. There will be separate options for different situations, such as 'Busy' or 'No answer'. Charges will apply.

What if I had to leave my house – will I be charged for my landline?

If you are unable to return to your home we will waive any of the normal fees related to cancelling your contract. We will also put your account on hold for 30 days until you have a better idea of your situation. Please call us to discuss this as soon as possible.

If you’re a business and you want to broadcast messages to your employees or customers

You can send group voice messages: With VoiceMail Plus you can record one voice message and send it to up to 30 people at once. You make one call instead of 30, and your message can go to any mobile or landline phone - and it's free to other Vodafone NZ numbers.

Charges will apply. Call us on 777 to set up VoiceMail Plus.

Again, if you’re caught out by the earthquake and simply can’t pay your bill, don’t hesitate to call us about it.

ENDS

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