Confused over data

[UmFaan]

Hi

I recently got a new smartphone after using a blackberry with BIS for a few years never worrying about data.
Along with the new contract and LTE enabled phone I got 30gb free data. I only used about 30mb and now yesterday I received an sms stating that that it has expired but only 24hrs after the sms it showed 0mb after dialing *141#.

Now I am obviously new to data, but the sales consultant at mtn said that if my data runs out everything like whatsapp, facebook, internet will stop working and not go through. But... am still able to use whatsapp and the internet with 0mb of data?? Now the question is, is whatsapp and my browser now using airtime or what, how is it still working?
I am on topup 100 and 25sms contract.

I also tried to buy 20mb data via *141*2*999# but it said I don't have enough airtime to purchase this internet bundle even though it cost R12 and I have R206 airtime lol.

 

[SuperMario]

With mtn you can't buy data with your monthly airtime, you can only buy data if you load prepaid airtime and then buy data with that. Seeing as you are on mtn, why not make use of afrihost mobile data? much cheaper, you can get 1GB of mobile data month to month for R58 p/m.

 

[SuperMario]

Hi

I recently got a new smartphone after using a blackberry with BIS for a few years never worrying about data.
Along with the new contract and LTE enabled phone I got 30gb free data. I only used about 30mb and now yesterday I received an sms stating that that it has expired but only 24hrs after the sms it showed 0mb after dialing *141#.

Now I am obviously new to data, but the sales consultant at mtn said that if my data runs out everything like whatsapp, facebook, internet will stop working and not go through. But... am still able to use whatsapp and the internet with 0mb of data?? Now the question is, is whatsapp and my browser now using airtime or what, how is it still working?
I am on topup 100 and 25sms contract.

I also tried to buy 20mb data via *141*2*999# but it said I don't have enough airtime to purchase this internet bundle even though it cost R12 and I have R206 airtime lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG_zZ109j3g

 

[UmFaan]

Not needed as I will rarely ever use more than 50mb each month. Used 36mb this month. The question still stands how am I still able to use whatsapp and everything with 0mb of data if the mtn lady said everything will stop working.

Thanks for clearing up part of my question.

 

[mister]

The question still stands how am I still able to use whatsapp and everything with 0mb of data if the mtn lady said everything will stop working.

She probably lied and you are being charged OOB rates. Btw, whoever said you got 30gb of data also lied, unless you meant 30mb.

Edit: OOB = out of bundle (very high)

 

[UmFaan]

She probably lied and you are being charged OOB rates. Btw, whoever said you got 30gb of data also lied, unless you meant 30mb.

Edit: OOB = out of bundle (very high)

It clearly said 30gb on my phone but anyways, does this out of bundle rates show on my monthly bank statement? Or will it use my airtime that I get each month (anytime topuo100) R2 a mb?

Another question what is in-bundle rates?

Thanks for your time

 

[UmFaan]

So to make my question straight forward, before I get a huge surprise at the end of the month, now knowing that I am probably busy using out of bundle rates...will it be added to the fixed amount I pay every month which is R190, in other words will the out of bundle rates reflect on my monthly bank statement...OR will the out of bundle rates be deducted from my current airtime on my phone (my anytime topup 100 which is currently on about R206) in other words will stuff like whatsapp and facebook start eating away at my airtime instead of data that I have 0mb of.

Someone on here has to have experience with this in some way.

 

[UmFaan]

So I guess no one truly knows. Wow.

 

[cAfstA]

Once your data has been depleted, billing will then start from your 100 minutes. This will not last you long because if I recall correctly then OOB is R2/MB.

Well this is how I know it to work on my Anytime Top-Up contract. If the 100 minutes has been depleted as well then nothing will work as in emails, WhatsApp messages will not push through as you have no data or "airtime" available.

Hope this helps

 

[endlesslyonline]

I am on topup 100 and 25sms contract.

First things first, you get (xx)mb data on your contract and R100 worth of "money", not minutes. So as soon as your data, or your SMS are depleted, it will dig into your rand value. If you are on a Topup, you wont get any end of the month surprises. As soon as your data is finished, you will then start using Rand value until it reaches R0.00

If you goto *141# you will be able to check how much airtime and data you have. Here you will see as soon as your mb goes to 0, your rand value will fall quickly

While you are at it. goto *141*9#, and register for loyalty points if u have not done so yet. with my loyalty points, i can normally topup my data with an extra few mb near the end of the month when my data is running out

I also tried to buy 20mb data via *141*2*999# but it said I don't have enough airtime to purchase this internet bundle even though it cost R12 and I have R206 airtime lol.

I think this was answered. But yea, to clarify, you cant use your given R100.00 for buying bundles etc. You need to load extra funds.

It clearly said 30gb on my phone but anyways,

You are correct, it was 30gb, MTN has a promo when signing a new contract, you will get 30gb of data for free, but its only valid for a month. After a month it expires and you get your normal contract assigned mb.