checking mb left on bundle

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fismail

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I recently added the 350mb bundle to my MyChoice 75 topup for use with my E620 datacard.

Is there anyway using any commands ( USSD ) that I can check how much mb I've used and what I have left ?

Can this be done using the virtual dialer provided by the MTN Datafast s/w ?
 
You can run USSD commands using a dialing type program... I'm on Linux I use minicom.. under Windows I think hyperterm should do the trick..

AT+CUSD=1,"*141#",15

That works for me...

There was another thread about it somewhere here..
 
fismail said:
I recently added the 350mb bundle to my MyChoice 75 topup for use with my E620 datacard.

Is there anyway using any commands ( USSD ) that I can check how much mb I've used and what I have left ?

Can this be done using the virtual dialer provided by the MTN Datafast s/w ?
Click to expand...

There isn't a *141*Check bundle# option yet I know when I left that was something they were relooking at is adding more options under USSD for e.g. to load a data bundle *141*4#

The only way you can check now is by physically dialling 141 or 555

MTNDD
 
been a while since i played with init strings and ussd commands with hyperterminal.

normally just use serial interface to a managed switch or router when using hyperterminal ...

anyways when i disconnect and close the mtn s/w that manages the card , i connect to the card in hyperterminal and paste that command and just end up getting an OK all the time.

redarrow said:
You can run USSD commands using a dialing type program... I'm on Linux I use minicom.. under Windows I think hyperterm should do the trick..

AT+CUSD=1,"*141#",15

That works for me...

There was another thread about it somewhere here..
Click to expand...
 
MTN_Data_Dude said:
There isn't a *141*Check bundle# option yet I know when I left that was something they were relooking at is adding more options under USSD for e.g. to load a data bundle *141*4#

The only way you can check now is by physically dialling 141 or 555

MTNDD
Click to expand...

I can check my bundle balance via USSD on my phone, on prepaid anyway.
 
The balance you get from *141# tells you the airtime balance and the data bundle balance. E.g.
Y'ello, You have R22.30 airtime and 56.51MB Data remaining.
You are on MTN Call per second.
Brought to you by MTN.

That's good enough. The only other useful thing you get from the 141 voice menus is the data of expiry of the bundle.
 
On that note, how do i check my usage if i'm on contract? There's something very bad going on my contract, as there most definitely are a delay of almost 24 hours before my usage are updated?!

I'm also forced to go through numerous prompts to HEAR my usage? [via 16202 being forced to enter a pin code everytime etc etc...annoying]

Surely there is a better way by now for CONTRACT users? This is my voice contract, so it's minor usage. I was thinking of signing a 2GB contract, but now it seems i'm worse off than staying on prepaid....??!

On prepaid i can:
a) Get balance via *141#
b) Ensure i don't blow my budget (without getting account suspended)
c) Get REAL TIME info
d) Change bundles via PROMPTS INSTANTLY [i.e. via 141] and ANYTIME [i.e. not being forced on a 13th-13th or 26th-26th month].


I can't do any of that on contract....am i missing something here?
 
Last edited:
All good points, diabolus. I'd like to hear the answers, too ... and have the questions fed back to the technical people if the answer is "not possible currently".
 
i use *162*12345# where "12345" is your PIN on my Nokia 6230 handset , works via USSD and gives you options on unbilled balance , bundles loaded , current amount due and all that.

MTNDD can give you the ins and outs of this system , there is normally a 24 hour delay when it updates.

oh and i am on contract as well.

to do real time monitoring and billing where you updated every 5 minutes would be overkill and cause the billing system to most likely crash IMHO ( in my humble opinion )


diabolus said:
On that note, how do i check my usage if i'm on contract? There's something very bad going on my contract, as there most definitely are a delay of almost 24 hours before my usage are updated?!

I'm also forced to go through numerous prompts to HEAR my usage? [via 16202 being forced to enter a pin code everytime etc etc...annoying]

Surely there is a better way by now for CONTRACT users? This is my voice contract, so it's minor usage. I was thinking of signing a 2GB contract, but now it seems i'm worse off than staying on prepaid....??!

On prepaid i can:
a) Get balance via *141#
b) Ensure i don't blow my budget (without getting account suspended)
c) Get REAL TIME info
d) Change bundles via PROMPTS INSTANTLY [i.e. via 141] and ANYTIME [i.e. not being forced on a 13th-13th or 26th-26th month].


I can't do any of that on contract....am i missing something here?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
my problem is'nt solved , i would like this feature to be included in the MTN DataLink s/w

besides dialling and all that , i would like the Fastlink s/w to work via USSD and give me a balance on my services used , i don't mind a 24 delay on balances but the feature would be nice.

i don't have the time and i dont want to make the time to stick my data sim into my handset and then use IVR ( its most annoying )

i am more than willing to "pay" for this convenience since i am paying anyways.

cmon MTN R&D , get your acts together.

Syndyre said:
Isn't that what he wanted?
Click to expand...
 
fismail said:
MTNDD can give you the ins and outs of this system , there is normally a 24 hour delay when it updates.

oh and i am on contract as well.

to do real time monitoring and billing where you updated every 5 minutes would be overkill and cause the billing system to most likely crash IMHO ( in my humble opinion )
Click to expand...

Not the case on prepaid though. It has to be immediate or else i could quickly download 500MB before they update the system? If i hit my limit on prepaid [i.e. hit R0] , it will stop my connection right there..no delays and stuff.

As for USSD, i tried this on my Option HSDPA Card, doesn't work . I just get "OK" when i send through the commands.

(this is from another thread on this forum, can't remember who wrote it)
1. Connect to the network

2. Check on Control Panel/Phone and modems what com port the Sierrawireless 3g modem is using (I used the 3g modem and not the HSDPA modem and it worked).

3. Open windows hyper terminal. Start/Programs/Accessproes/Communications/Hyper terminal

4. Name your new connection. Use the drop down box to get the com port identified in 2. Make sure the bits per second are set at 115200 and leave everything else on default.

5. Go File/Properties. Press the ASCI button and select "echo local". This is to be able to see the commands you are typing.

6. Type command ati5
You should get a response with AC 850 information.

7. Issue the following command AT+CUSD=1,"*141#",15 and voila you should get your usage stats.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Problem is that the datalink s/w "locks" use of the card even when you exit the application.
Only way to do it is to eject the card and then re-insert and let it boot up , once that is done , any command you issue to it via hyperterminal will cause it to ask for a pin , for your simcard of course , there is a thread in this forum that has more info on it.

diabolus said:
As for USSD, i tried this on my Option HSDPA Card, doesn't work . I just get "OK" when i send through the commands.

(this is from another thread on this forum, can't remember who wrote it)
Click to expand...
 
anyone out there wants to explain exactly how u use minicom to get your usage stats ?
The thing just looks at me and gives me OK when i send AT=CUSD=1,"*141#",15

i am sunning OpenSuSE 11
 
qDot said:
anyone out there wants to explain exactly how u use minicom to get your usage stats ?
The thing just looks at me and gives me OK when i send AT=CUSD=1,"*141#",15

i am sunning OpenSuSE 11
Click to expand...
That command is correct. What device are you using? It could just be that you need a firmware update in order to use USSD commands.
 
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