Cell C prepaid no more expiry date?

ajax

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I see on *101# on my prepaid sims (not data sims) the expiry dates are no longer showing. Does this mean they no longer have expiry dates? What rules are being applied now?

Vodacom e.g. has a 7 month activity rule last time I checked. MTN is 90 days.
 

Madhawk

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I noticed that too on my phone. No more expiry date, just available balance and data. (if you loaded a data bundle)
 

Cell_C

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HI

from what i know if there is no activity on you cell number eg..
Recharge and calls, the number will be recycled.
90 days ctivity rule.

REgards
~AM~
 

ginggs

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from what i know if there is no activity on you cell number eg..
Recharge and calls, the number will be recycled.
90 days ctivity rule.
What about data usage?

MTN have been known to recycle numbers that people were actively using in their modems, but didn't make a call or an SMS for 90 days.
 

ajax

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There still seems to be an expiry date, but now it is invisible. This morning one of my prepaid sims stopped working - "your service has been lost".

This is not right, either put the expiry dates back so that I can at least plan ahead and not get a nasty surprise when I make a call, or remove completely.

P.S. I recharged this sim about 2 weeks ago, so no 90 day activity rule in operation here.
 

ChocolateBadger

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I'm with Cell C and my airtime/sms bundle expiry date was always something crazy like 2030 or something
 

Sasha_za

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I too used to have a 2030 expiry date, i see it is gone, i do hope they don't recycle my number, i do make calls and sms though, but with cell c u never know.
 

sajunky

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I too used to have a 2030 expiry date, i see it is gone, i do hope they don't recycle my number, i do make calls and sms though, but with cell c u never know.
I am afraid they can still recycle, even you have 2030 expiry date. There are two counters:
- 2030 expiry is an airtime window period. Lets say you have still Rxx value loaded, but your airtime window expired, you need to recharge to extend airtime window.
- inactivity period counter when not using SIM.
 

Dups!

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@all

Dial *147# >balance>available balance and you will get your expiry date. It is still there but because they are trying to go for more characters on the main enquiry screen they have removed the date.

Also, the recycle period is still 120 days (4 months).

I wish they could do it like Vodacom and give you 7 months before recycling the number while also doing away with the expiration of the airtime.
 

Madhawk

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@all

Dial *147# >balance>available balance and you will get your expiry date. It is still there but because they are trying to go for more characters on the main enquiry screen they have removed the date.

Also, the recycle period is still 120 days (4 months).

I wish they could do it like Vodacom and give you 7 months before recycling the number while also doing away with the expiration of the airtime.

Cool, thanks! It's a bit of an effort going via *147# , but I like the way things are now, much neater.

Anyone that doesn't use their number via SMS, mms or a phone call within 4 months deserves to lose their number.
 

tonyeyes

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I had the same issue recently with CellC, if you recharge with less that R30 your window is 2 weeks. With more than R30 it is 3 Months as per the Call centre.
 

Quest10n

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HI

from what i know if there is no activity on you cell number eg..
Recharge and calls, the number will be recycled.
90 days ctivity rule.

REgards
~AM~

How is this possible since we have to RICA the number...??????
 

Electron1

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Cell_C
Please clarify this - Does data usage count, or do I run the risk of the sim being used in an iPad for data only, being recycled?

To all the Service providers:
I have to say that I think that the recycling of numbers by the service providers without taking the effort to contact the individual who RICA'd the number, is not right. SMS's to Sims in use for data only is a waste of time (if it even is being done). You have the info, at least do your customers the courtesy of notifying them that their numbers will expire unless they use it.
 

Madhawk

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Cell_C
Please clarify this - Does data usage count, or do I run the risk of the sim being used in an iPad for data only, being recycled?

I use my SIM in my iPad with data only and have never been disconnected. It's only when there's no activity at all. Including DATA.
 

Electron1

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I use my SIM in my iPad with data only and have never been disconnected. It's only when there's no activity at all. Including DATA.
Thanks Madhawk - I hope so - pity there is no official comment from the Cell_C rep.
 

kbilly

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It is the small things like this which make big differences and effort nrccesary, this is how you know if the company in question cares....
 

har

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I use my SIM in my iPad with data only and have never been disconnected. It's only when there's no activity at all. Including DATA.

You are talking about being disconnected entirely. I don't dispute that, but you might well be disconnected or let's rather call it 'frozen' from voice without knowing it (since you never use voice). I noticed that my data (bundle) continued to work after my voice service had been suspended.

Are you saying you go much more than four months between recharges, and have never been disconnected? Do you buy data bundles? How often?
 
Last edited:

MKFrost

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A bit off topic but something I thought off while reading here....

After 90/120 days your numbers is recycled i.e. it is given out again? If so what happens to a number like mine which is a Vodacom number but ported to Cell C?

Is it 'returned' to Vodacom to dish out again or does Cell C give it out? Guess it goes back to Vodacom....but how will they (VC) know the number is no longer active if it is no longer on their network?
 
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