VODAFONE IS THE LATEST pay-as-you-go service to offload more pain on its customers just as the credit crunch sets in... good move guys.

The INQ found only last week that one of the main reasons technology is doing so well in this economic decline is due to customers shopping around for the best deal – Vodafone’s latest move is surely then going to lose it customers.

Prices will rise by a third starting from September as the media giant struggles to scrape back financial losses caused by increased regulation.

As if customers don’t have enough money worries with increasing household bills, the rise in the food prices, gas and even water bills, they now have to worry about their mobile phone as well.

Vodafone’s price hike comes shortly after its main rivals O2 and T-Mobile increased theirs back in July.

As number two in the rankings Vodafone say it hasn’t increased prices in two years and the only reason for doing so now is because of “regulation”.

Regulator Ofcom brought in a new set of price caps to affect O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and 3 which cut prices by between 10 and 45 per cent.

The INQ's favourite politician Viviane Reding suggests further that rates should come down by 70 per cent to 2p per minute or less.

We’d advise Vodafone customers to take the advice of the company’s slogan and make the most of now. µ