Cell C airtime depletion while active data bundle

[Spear]

I am on Cell C prepaid, on an Android phone.
I have an active 50GB data bundle, with plenty of data available.
My airtime gets depleted very rapidly.
I made sure there are no premium services running on my phone.
Upon query to Cell C call centre, they tell me that some apps are using data through oob airtime rather than through the 50GB data bundle. They cannot tell me which apps it is, or how to stop it.
Please help!!!

 

[Cell_C]

Hi Spear

Please PM us the number in question and your email address.

We will check it out.

^NS

 

[Johnatan56]

I am on Cell C prepaid, on an Android phone.
I have an active 50GB data bundle, with plenty of data available.
My airtime gets depleted very rapidly.
I made sure there are no premium services running on my phone.
Upon query to Cell C call centre, they tell me that some apps are using data through oob airtime rather than through the 50GB data bundle. They cannot tell me which apps it is, or how to stop it.
Please help!!!

Can you update on this later? An app shouldn't be able to "choose" to use OOB, either all data is in bundle or OOB unless it's a data bundle specific to a service like the WhatsApp ones are/were.

 

[Totempole]

I am on Cell C prepaid, on an Android phone.
I have an active 50GB data bundle, with plenty of data available.
My airtime gets depleted very rapidly.
I made sure there are no premium services running on my phone.
Upon query to Cell C call centre, they tell me that some apps are using data through oob airtime rather than through the 50GB data bundle. They cannot tell me which apps it is, or how to stop it.
Please help!!!

This is why I left Cell C for TK Mobile. My airtime was getting wiped off BEFORE my data bundle was depleted.

So I'd start with 500MB of data and R50 airtime, and end up with 778KB and R0.00. This was of course back when OOB on the 66c plan was an insane R2.00 per MB.

Nobody at Cell C gave enough of a crap to try and understand my concerns, so I voted with my wallet and have never looked back.

Must be saving at least R500 per year with TK.

 

[Spear]

I visited a Cell C store, and after consulting with their technical people they tell me that while 'local roaming' is activated on the phone, and I am out of Cell C LTE range, it will use Vodacom LTE and for that it will use data via airtime rather than from the data bundle. I 'lost' about R120 worth of airtime in 3 weeks through this phenomenon, so it isn't trivial.
Apparently the solution is to turn 'local roaming' off and disable LTE, which really negates the whole reason for having a smart phone, doesn't it?

 

[ginggs]

I visited a Cell C store, and after consulting with their technical people they tell me that while 'local roaming' is activated on the phone, and I am out of Cell C LTE range, it will use Vodacom LTE and for that it will use data via airtime rather than from the data bundle. I 'lost' about R120 worth of airtime in 3 weeks through this phenomenon, so it isn't trivial.
Apparently the solution is to turn 'local roaming' off and disable LTE, which really negates the whole reason for having a smart phone, doesn't it?

I recalled something about the bigger Giga bundles not working while roaming.

Here it is in their terms and conditions (on the additional information tab):
https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/prepaid-contract-detail/GigaPackages

2. On Giga plans you will receive 10, 20, 30, 50 100 and 200GB ANYTIME data.
3. The Giga packages are ONLY for use on the Cell C Network. National roaming on the Vodacom network is not allowed on this product.
4. Giga are only applicable on the Cell C Internet APN (Blackberry APN is excluded).

The solution is to turn off "use data while roaming" or choose manual operator selection and choose Cell-C,
I can't see why you would need to disable LTE.

 

[Johnatan56]

Android, LG:
Settings > Under Connectivity, More > Mobile Networks > toggle Data roaming.

Turning of LTE is BS, you can't even roam LTE on Vodacom as far as I am aware.

 

[Cell_C]

Hi Spear

Please note that we received your details. Please check you PM for feedback.

^MP

 

[Spear]

Thanks ginggs - Cell C confirms that you are correct.
I will have to see if living without local roaming is feasable on the Cell C network...

 

[Cell_C]

Hi Spear

We've responded in your PM, please check it once more.

^MP

 

[lucifir]

I have had similar issues with cell c ... and really want to move now.

If only TM had wifi calling

 

[Johnatan56]

I have had similar issues with cell c ... and really want to move now.

If only TM had wifi calling

Their FreeMe bundles have IM calling support, so you can use WhatsApp. Otherwise:

Every month you get 3,000 free minutes (FUP) to call Telkom mobile and landline numbers. If you go for the 20GB or Unlimited options, we’ll even throw in free calls to other networks in South Africa.*

On prepaid it's 100 minutes. Admittedly not WiFi calling though, so if you're e.g. stuck in a basement/bad mobile coverage, using an IM app is better.

Vodacom's VoLTE support (which is probably the same as Cell C):

• Samsung Galaxy S6
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy S7
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy A3
• Samsung Galaxy A5
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 6 & 6 Plus
• iPhone 6s & 6s Plus
• iPhone 7 & 7 Plus
• LG G5
• LG G6
• LG Stylus 3

Haven't really had a problem with call quality in CT on Telkom mobile, not VoLTE though, my device doesn't support it either.
Do have it on the G5 and S7 on Vodacom's network for my parent's phone, on home WiFi with 100/50Mbps all is good, but forced to switch off WiFi at praxis due to 4/0.5Mbps ADSL, call quality is atrocious.

Still find it crazy that WiFi calling is not cheaper as you're not using the base stations/reducing their network strain.

 

[Cell_C]

Hi lucifir

Please PM us the full details regarding the issue that you experienced.

^MP

 

[Cell_C]

Hi lucifir

Please PM us the full details regarding the issue that you experienced.

^MP