Are the new Vodafone data cards locked to Vodacom?

[vodacom3g]

We must all remember that their is nothing like a free lunch!. If handsets will cost R4000 without a subsidy, we are already paying for this included in our monthly subscribtions. I would prefer to pay for my handsets that can easily last for longer than 2 years but then pay a total of R4000 less for my service charges to Vodacom. As example: I currently pay R14 400 over two years for my HSPDA service, allow me to buy my own card and reduce this payment to R10 000 over the two years.

It is time that the competition commission prohibit the network operators to network lock 'free' phones that I pay for as part of my subscriptions. Vodacom can also not complain if I use the subsidized instrument on other networks, as I am still locked into the payments of my contract!

Try to get another story Vodacom3G. This one dont work.

Regards

FireTelkom

Remember I said the subsidy is based on both the contract and expected revenue, not just the monthly fixed fee.

I'll see if I can get someone to do some numbers on this.

I don't diasgree with you. Seperating the handset from the service can work (and maybe should be an option) but it would prohibit a large number of people from using the service.

Subscribers will then start using their phones for much longer than the current 2 years, models will stay on the market much longer and that, in turn, will drive costs down. But adoption cycles will slow down.

 

[diabolus]

Remember I said the subsidy is based on both the contract and expected revenue, not just the monthly fixed fee.

So is this a hint that Vodacom is giving up on trying to beat/catchup the competition in terms of prepaid bundles [MTN] and prepaid tariffs [Virgin] ? So instead they just lock people in ? . Lukcily i have the tendency to buy my devices cash, so not really an issue for me at this stage, but i certainly see no reason at all to renew/upgrade my contract in the future if all i will get is a locked-in device [while already dependent on other networks with existing devices] .

 

[Daveogg]

Remember I said the subsidy is based on both the contract and expected revenue, not just the monthly fixed fee.

I'll see if I can get someone to do some numbers on this.

I don't diasgree with you. Seperating the handset from the service can work (and maybe should be an option) but it would prohibit a large number of people from using the service.

Subscribers will then start using their phones for much longer than the current 2 years, models will stay on the market much longer and that, in turn, will drive costs down. But adoption cycles will slow down.

V3G I really hope vodacom is not planning on going down the "locked" route.

You say the subsidy is based on the fixed fee and expected revenue - Fine but i am willing to bet you base that on a two year life span of the phone. How do you justify your further "claim" over that handset?

The minute Vodacom offer me a "locked" device is the minute i take my business elsewhere. By locking my phone the message you are giving me is that you are not interested in competing in price or service, but will force me to use your services. Keep it.

 

[pojo]

Since when do datacards cost R4000? More likely R2500 (MTN prepaid price)!
Also why is vc locking cards now? Whats changed?

 

[Piesang]

Since when do datacards cost R4000? More likely R2500 (MTN prepaid price)!
Also why is vc locking cards now? Whats changed?

The R4000 doesn't specify a data card but a handset. Probably just figure of speech anyway.

 

[Phaff]

I cant see how installing the generic Huawei software wont defeat this. Wont someone who has one of the new cards try and load the generic software ...

I downloaded the software and installed it, seems to work with my "network locked" HSDPA card and a 4U SIM.
One thing it does do better than the VMC software is NOT apply a script to my 3G phone modem. Somehow the VMC software changes the advanced modem settings and applies a script each time it is run, then of course the phone as a modem does not work anymore..

Funny thing was that using the HSDPA card in my Linksys router gave me not so great throughput to our VPN but using the card in my notebook directly gave me a much better connect speed through the VPN.

Will try a MTN or VM sim.

 

[ajax]

A network locked card means I can't use another network as a back-up when the main network fails. With the number of problems I've heard of lately, it is essential to have an unlocked card.

 

[lilDeath]

Since when do datacards cost R4000? More likely R2500 (MTN prepaid price)!
Also why is vc locking cards now? Whats changed?

It's got the 'look and feel' of a <spit>Melkhom</spit> stunt in trying to passively / forcefully retain customers when MNP comes into effect.

 

[noxibox]

Remember I said the subsidy is based on both the contract and expected revenue, not just the monthly fixed fee.

Makes no difference where it comes from, everyone providing their own phone is entitled a few thousand rand discount.

Have asked for the official policy.

Network locking is done by many operators and is a commercial issue. The networks calculate how much they can subsidise a handset, based on the revenue they expect from that specific contract PLUS the call revenue.

If you pick up a subsidised phone and then use it on another network, the model breaks down and it is this the networks try and avoid.

One solution would be to remove all subsidies and users buy their phones directly from the manufacturers. But how many people will pay R4000+ for a handset every 2 years?

Since the cost of the phone is integrated into the monthly subscription contract rates would be expected to drop substantially for subscribers who choose to use their own phone. I have my own phone, what discounted rate is Vodacom willing to offer me?

Anyone who has been given a locked card or phone should simply demand a full refund and report the company to the competition commission.

 

[Terencek]

What Voda didn't tell: the new HSDPA cards are 'locked'!

What Voda appears not to have mentioned in announcing the data card swap-out and lower data tariffs is that the new Huawei HSDPA cards appear to be 'locked' to the Vodacom network!
I discovered this by trial and error when my local Voda mast went down and I tried to use my backup MTN card -- which worked on the older card and software but no longer does, dammit!
I have since tried everything with the help of this forum, but it now seems obvious Voda have defied the ICASA ruling prohibiting locking equipment to a network -- unless anyone from Voda can deny this categorically AND tell us how to use rival SIM cards in their new data cards as we could formerly?

Afterthought 1: if I swap back to a 3G card (which used to be able to handle rival SIM cards) will the announced refurbishing also have locked these?

Afterthought 2: What happens when travelling overseas. Is the new card also locked only to Voda or partner networks? Recently in the UK I used my former Voda 3G card with the Orange network which had the cheapest data for my use; has this also now been suppressed thanks to the new cards?

 

[louisp]

Lol, interesting fact.

Can any1 else also confirm this?

 

[vodacom3g]

Have asked, awaiting reply.

 

[FireTelkom]

Vodafone 3 G in the UK

Hi

I just wonder who have checked the prices on Vodafone in the UK for contracts with 3 G.

For those that is interested, the price plans and info are as follows:

Package -------Once-off for card---- Per month----- Data included
Data 250 ----------- R 1300 ------------ R325 ---------- 250MB
Data Unlimited ------ R 650 ------------R585 --------- Unlimited
Data Travel ---------- R 650 ----------- R 1235 ----- Unlimited plus 100MB on vodafone networks outside UK per month

These contracts are all 12 month contracts.

So lets now again listen to the Vodacom argument of price and usage and returns over 12 months as the reason to network lock their cards.

All the UK cards are open and not network locked.

Regards

FireTelkom

 

[wlamb]

Food for thought !!

If you take out a 24 month contract in order to get a ?!?!FREE?!?! data card, you get binded into a 24 month contract of R350 per month. Consider a normal 3g contract costs R280 per month. This means Vodacom makes R70 per month extra. If you want to cancel after 20 months, Vodacom will charge you R350 tims 4 where their real loss is closer to R70 times 4 = R280. This worked on the basis that they get a data card for R1400 which is probably close to the cost they get it for in mass quantity... so as far as the storey of it ruins their business model !! Rubbish all what 24 month contracts do is ensure mass wealth for prov iders and reduce their need for competative pricing ...!!!
Of corse they could argue about the time value of money but then they probably get data cards for cheaper than R1400 each anyway !!

 

[diabolus]

Is MTN locking their cards?

Since the prices generally are the same in terms of data, why on earth would someone now take a Vodacom 3G Contract [locked] over a MTN 3G contract with unlocked card?

Of course i notice something here, if you take an MTN contract, you are generally screwed with using Vodacom [unlocked card or not] as you need some form of contract to get bundles. Now from the other angle, if you got a Voda contract, it's quite easy and natural to get some MTN bundles going...

Almost looks like Vodacom is "locking" itself out of the game. You sign up with them and you are "locked in", if you don't, you are effectively "locked out".

 

[Daveogg]

Have asked for the official policy.

Any answers yet??

 

[vodacom3g]

Any answers yet??

Have had some replies, and have asked the questions I know you'd ask in response, so waiting for the replies on those again.

Pretty much the standard stuff in terms of availability, branding, quality, etc.

But let me get the full story and especially the path forward and I'll post.

 

[Wynsam]

Go get an MTN card

At only 49 per month for 24 months and not network locked it seems the right way forward. Then you are stuck using data at R2 per mb. However you can use the VM sim in it and pay 50c per mb on the Edge network wich is 3/4 of the speed of 3g anyway. Sure you dont then have HSDPA speeds, use your dsl line for spped, and the edge network for mobility.

i know that this wont suit everone, but it works for me. put your dsl line on a wireless router for the office and home and you have cheap (relative to mobile network prices) connectivity. When out of the office environemnt, seeing clients use Edge -- it has far wider coverage then current 3G (wont it be nice in 3months time when Cell C goes 3G and ??? maybe HSDPA -- anyone who can confirm the second one?).

 

[adsl3g]

At only 49 per month for 24 months and not network locked it seems the right way forward. Then you are stuck using data at R2 per mb. However you can use the VM sim in it and pay 50c per mb on the Edge network wich is 3/4 of the speed of 3g anyway. Sure you dont then have HSDPA speeds, use your dsl line for spped, and the edge network for mobility.

i know that this wont suit everone, but it works for me. put your dsl line on a wireless router for the office and home and you have cheap (relative to mobile network prices) connectivity. When out of the office environemnt, seeing clients use Edge -- it has far wider coverage then current 3G (wont it be nice in 3months time when Cell C goes 3G and ??? maybe HSDPA -- anyone who can confirm the second one?).

Wysam, maybe you should advise potential buyers that the VM card does not work in the MTN datacard (or any other) as there is some issues with either the card or the network settings, they are however looking at it.
I know they gave you a new card but I am still waiting and the story they told me is different to just a replacement card - I was basically told to wait till the network issues are sorted out.

EDIT: and with the R49pm contract, you can still add MTN databundles - but the VM prices are still the best.

 

[stix]

I am 100% certain that the cards are locked !

Why you may ask ?

I have an invoice from Vodacom stating as much !