Most Aussie mobile users are in the dark when it comes to the cost of voicemail. In fact, three out of four Australians with voicemail don't know how much they are charged to retrieve messages, according to research released by Virgin Mobile.
The study shows that, on average, Australians with voicemail use 14% of their cap plans on voicemail charges. This equates to an average of $71 per year, claims the MVNO.
In the midst of a recession, Virgin Mobile CEO, Peter Bithos said, "Virgin Mobile believes that current voicemail charges are excessive and have become the equivalent of ATM fees in the Telco industry."
The research revealed that four in five (79%) mobile phone users would use voicemail more often if it were free, and Virgin Mobile naturally points out that it offers free voicemail services.
"We provide all of our customers with free voicemail and always have. Virgin Mobile customers can check their voicemails anywhere, anytime without worrying about the cost. We at Virgin Mobile are focussed on making it easy, simple and transparent for the customer. We can't help but wonder why Telcos like 3 and Vodafone charge you to call yourself."
According to mobile phone users, only one out of every three messages is considered worth paying for. This means Australians with voicemail spend $46 a year on voicemail they don't even want to listen to.
The types of voicemail that annoy Australians most are blank messages (66%) and long and boring messages (37%). In addition, one in five people are frustrated by messages which simply say "I called" or "don't worry about calling back".
Methodology
The research was conducted online by Galaxy Research in May 2009 with 1,025 Australians aged 18 and over who own or are the primary user of a mobile phone.
Posted to the site on 1st July 2009
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/38309.php