Advice on prepaid data SIM for visitor to SA

[nick in the uk]

Hello

I'm visiting Pearly Beach (near Gansbaai) for 3 weeks from 24th Feb. I'd like to pick up a pre-paid 3G (data only) SIM so I can get my internet fix while I'm there

From what I can gather I can buy a Vodacom SIM and then load data on to it - I was wondering if there any 'gotchas' I need to be wary of. Presumably I should be able to pick up said SIM at Cape Town airport - would I be able to preload data there?

Any advice would be welcome! (If Vodacom is not the way to go I am open to other suggestions)

Thanks
Nick

 

[Paul Hjul]

From a costs point of view Afrihost Mobile or Telkom Mobile are probably your best bet
although a banking account for a debit order might be a snag for Afrihost

BUT I would get a hold of them to confirm that they can RICA your ass on you Passport and a proof of accommodation (a letter from who you are staying with - a hotel would be great) for the period.
Otherwise Vodacom have very much gone the extra mile in the RICA market

 

[Yotch]

I'm not sure whether there is any MTN coverage in that area but here are the prepaid data bundle rates for both Vodacom and MTN
http://www.vodacom.co.za/personal/phonesandpackages/prepaidandtopuponceoffbundles
https://www.mtninternet.co.za/GetIt/Pages/InternetBundles.aspx
Vodacom coverage map (appears to be 3G coverage)
http://www.vodacom.co.za/personal/internet/coveragemaps
MTN coverage map (appears to be 3G coverage)
https://www.mtn.co.za/pages/coverage-map.aspx
Cell C coverage map
http://www.cellc.co.za/network-coverage-map
Doesn't appear to be any Telkom 3G coverage in that area ...
http://www.telkommobile.co.za/coverage/

 

[Terencek]

I can't speak for CT airport, but OR Tambo's (i.e. Johannesburg, if you are a tourist) Vodashop does a thriving business in prepaid SIMs for tourists, who only need to produce a passport and details of accommodation in SA. It's fairly hassle-free, and it is actually easier for a tourist to get a prepaid SIM than for a South African! But anyone wanting to use this facility needs to be aware that very late or early flights will mean the Vodashop in the terminal is not open.

 

[Dr Who]

My suggestion is that if Cell C works but a pre-paid normal sim.

You can load airtime on at how ever you like, and add 1 R7,50 data bundle for 50mb. This will give you access to 15c per mb OOB rates for 30 days, you can even set it to recurring.

 

[nick in the uk]

Thanks for all the replies - I am much wiser now! Will probably go with Vodacom ....

 

[SoTrue]

Thanks for all the replies - I am much wiser now! Will probably go with Vodacom ....

No! First make sure that you do have acceptable network coverage in the area you are going to stay in, then choose the cheapest service/network. The coverage maps are not necessarily accurate down to a specific house.

 

[nick in the uk]

OK, but how can I do that without buying a SIM first?

 

[Terencek]

No you can't, unfortunately that was inappropriate advice, which only applies to someone actually in the country. I'm afraid that, just as happens to us when we come to the UK, you just 'pays yer money and takes yer choice'. Unless you have someone on the ground here, you are left with the rather dodgy coverage maps.

As a rough rule of thumb though, Vodacom apparently has the largest network here, so you are least likely to go wrong with them. MTN has the second-largest, followed then by Cell C and Telkom Mobile. Stay away from the niche operators like Virgin Mobile or Red Bull, which could introduce complications in your case.

Is there nobody in this forum in or near the Pearly Beach (Gansbaai) area who would do the OP a favour and check local coverage for him?

 

[JimM]

One big Gotcha that has been missed is RICA.

You are required by law to register a SIM Card under the terms of RICA (I think similar to PICA in the UK) and you will need:

1. Passport or ID Document (the latter for SA citizens of course).
2. Proof of address - This gets many stores knickers in a twist! A copy of your itinerary or hotel confirmation will suffice.

Gansbaai should have Cell C, MTN & Vodacom coverage.

Expect to pay R149 (£8.21) for 1GB of pre-paid data. The SIM shouldn't cost more that R5 unless bought at a Vodacom outlet!

Airtime can be converted into data bundles using USSD codes.

*111# Vodacom Main USSD Menu
*147# Cell C Main USSD Menu
*141*6# MTN Data Bundles USSD Menu

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Make it easy guys,

1. Land in Joburg/CapeTown,
2. Head to Vodacom/MTN shop
3. Ask for x number of prepaid gigs no contracts
4. Hand over Passport + hotel information
5. Enjoy Internets.

 

[Terencek]

+ 1

RICA is actually easier for a visitor than for a resident!

 

[nick in the uk]

Thanks again for all the advice. I guess even if 3G is patchy I'll be able to fall back to 2G so I can still get on-line, albeit slower. And if all else fails I'll have plenty of data to burn while waiting in Cape Town airport for my flight home!

 

[nick in the uk]

Well I'm back home from South Africa. Just to say that the combination of my Huawei E5332 (which I got unlocked for a small fee) and a Vodacom SIM worked perfectly in Pearly Beach. I was able to Skype home, listen to BBC radio - everything worked.

The folks at Overcell in Gansbaai were very helpful in providing and setting up the SIM, took all of 5 minutes.

 

[charlieharper]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I'll be flying into South Africa soon. Would it be possible to register using my South African Passport?

 

[f2wohf]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I'll be flying into South Africa soon. Would it be possible to register using my South African Passport?

Passport + proof of address (any hotel booking or letter from a friend is enough).