CellC SIM Applications menu on iPad broken

[recre8]

Has anyone had any luck with the CellC SIM Applications menu on an iPad. This is the only way to check your balance and convert airtime to a data bundle, and I haven't been able to use it for months now.

Most of the times it shows "NETWORK FAILED". Sometimes I manage to get to "Press OK to request your Cell C Airtime Balance" then "Please Wait" and then nothing happens.

I'm gatvol of CellC's issues.

 

[ginggs]

Can't you send *101# or *147# ?

 

[JustinB]

I'm sure this is a Ussd on ipad limitation...

 

[ginggs]

I'm sure this is a Ussd on ipad limitation...

Have Apple still not fixed that?

 

[recre8]

Have Apple still not fixed that?

Fixed it? Wasn't aware there was a problem in the first place. Or did you mean CellC still haven't fixed their network?

Apple provides network operators a way of calling USSD commands by means of the SIM Applications menu. So the problem is actually that USSD on CellC is not working properly.

 

[ginggs]

Fixed it? Wasn't aware there was a problem in the first place.

It's been a problem since the first 3G iPads were released:
http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...specifically-be-used-to-dial-short-ussd-codes

 

[ginggs]

Apple provides network operators a way of calling USSD commands by means of the SIM Applications menu.

How sure are you that the SIM Toolkit uses USSD?

This page seems to indicate that it doesn't:
http://www.truteq.com/tips_ussd/

Menus served over USSD should not be confused with menus and applications served by STK (Sim Tool Kit).

STK is a technology embedded on the SIM card where special applications can be accessed by the subscriber. With STK, the handset receives instructions from the SIM card to perform functions.

One popular application is a WIB (wireless Internet browser). The WIB is downloaded onto the SIM card before distribution and appears on the subscriber's telephone menu as a range of services. The WIB communicates with a server on the GSM Network Operators's network that connects it to other servers offering the services. The communication bearer commonly used is SMS.

The result is that such services are very slow and more often than not annoying. Usually, STK will use SMS as a bearer for communication.

STK as a technology can use USSD as a bearer, but it is very dependent on the STK implementation on the particular handset. Some handset manufacturers did not adequately implement STK support for USSD. The result is that in practise, STK will always use only SMS as a bearer.

So the problem is actually that USSD on CellC is not working properly.

For what it's worth, I've just tested and *101# is working fine on my Nokia.