HAVING been made redundant by Lucent Technologies two years ago, after 16 years service, I can sympathise with Cellular Operations employees who now find themselves facing an uncertain future.

In my situation, Lucent was and still is a quality company and handled everything with a great deal of dignity and concern for employees. Although I have not been able to find a position as good as I had with Lucent, I have got by and life goes on.

Unfortunately, as an ex-customer of Cellular Operations, I have to say Vodafone is right to shut it down.

From personal experience I can say I have never, ever, been treated as badly as this bunch dealt with my account between February and May this year.

To explain my situation, they billed me for a phone and insurance I never received, I cancelled my contract and my direct debit. Their customer care didn't reply to two letters I wrote to them, they illegally raided my credit card to take the amount that was in dispute, they also added a £20 admin charge.

I wrote to their quality manager and didn't receive any reply. I wrote to their customer relations manager and again never received a reply.

When a company like this does not respect their customer, what goes around comes around!

I don't know how they ever won service provider of the year. In reply to the employee who said it was a shame and disgrace to see their operation broken up, I can only say good riddance to bad rubbish I do not believe mine was an isolated case.

In fairness, employees can only produce results with good management and unfortunately Cellular Operations was badly managed in my opinion. Probably these same faceless wonders will survive the cull.

I hope ex-employees do find new positions.

RICHARD CORBETT

Swindon