Current best prepaid data deals - coverage & cost

A

AlexFl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2010
Messages
461
Reaction score
46
Location
Auckland Park, Johannesburg
Hi all,

Have an old Telkom Mobile Huawei E5220 which I'd like to use when mobile & when being load shed.

Want to buy a bulk data sim. But not necessarily one of those with 'midnight surfer' type time restrictions as it will mainly be used for working remotely and in the earlier evenings when there's no power.

Bought a Cell C data sim like this in 2018 for a tour around SA. It was a cap valid for a year with no monthly expiries and other BS like that. Quite like the idea of that (but wasn't too fond of Cell C's limited coverage). Lost touch with the market since as it expired and there was no immediate need to replace it.

Would be grateful for your thoughts regarding best bang for buck for this? Thanks in advance.
 
I think the answer will depend on how much data you anticipate on using per month.
 
bobcpt said:
I think the answer will depend on how much data you anticipate on using per month.
Click to expand...
Probably no more than 1GB. I've already got uncapped access at home. Just need something to help me continue working online during load shedding (ecommerce store and email). Also have a more portable laptop that might get mobile with me. Cell phone monthly package doesn't have a big data bundle to hot-spot.
 
In my opinion it would be a choice between Afrihost/Air mobile or Telkom Mobile. I use Afrihost for data on my phone and a Telkom Mobile sim in my mifi router.

Afrihost/Air mobile sells prepaid Mtn data at R69 per GB which is valid for 60 days. The main benefits are network coverage and that you can convert any prepaid Mtn sim card to Air mobile. Unfortunately the data does not get cheaper the more data you buy, so if you start buying more than 1GB per month it is worth looking at other options.

The second option would be Telkom mobile. They sell internet starter pack bundles that you can load on a prepaid sim card which gives you a set amount of monthly data for 12 months. The 1GB * 12 month bundle cost R505 (R42/month), while the 2GB * 12 month bundle costs R1005 (R84 per month). The main benefits are that the data rolls over until the end of the next calendar month and can be used while roaming on the Vodacom network. Adhoc bundles are expensive, so if you need more data you would be better off switching to their Smart Broadband wireless LTE bundles which start at R99 for 5GB data. The latter is limited to the Telkom network though.
 
AlexFl said:
Probably no more than 1GB. I've already got uncapped access at home. Just need something to help me continue working online during load shedding (ecommerce store and email). Also have a more portable laptop that might get mobile with me. Cell phone monthly package doesn't have a big data bundle to hot-spot.
Click to expand...
Cell-C have a 10GB 365-day data bundle for R599.
The next size up is 20GB for R799.

I think Cell-C now have a roaming agreement with MTN, so coverage may have improved since 2018.
 
It is a pity that our network operators choose to place some of their data bundle information behind a login screen. It is almost as if they want to sell something, but don't want to tell anybody about it.
 
bobcpt said:
In my opinion it would be a choice between Afrihost/Air mobile or Telkom Mobile. I use Afrihost for data on my phone and a Telkom Mobile sim in my mifi router.

Afrihost/Air mobile sells prepaid Mtn data at R69 per GB which is valid for 60 days. The main benefits are network coverage and that you can convert any prepaid Mtn sim card to Air mobile. Unfortunately the data does not get cheaper the more data you buy, so if you start buying more than 1GB per month it is worth looking at other options.

The second option would be Telkom mobile. They sell internet starter pack bundles that you can load on a prepaid sim card which gives you a set amount of monthly data for 12 months. The 1GB * 12 month bundle cost R505 (R42/month), while the 2GB * 12 month bundle costs R1005 (R84 per month). The main benefits are that the data rolls over until the end of the next calendar month and can be used while roaming on the Vodacom network. Adhoc bundles are expensive, so if you need more data you would be better off switching to their Smart Broadband wireless LTE bundles which start at R99 for 5GB data. The latter is limited to the Telkom network though.
Click to expand...
Went into a Telkom store this morning to get the 1GB * 12 month internet starter pack bundle. They huddled together and searched and search and punched USSD's into their respective phones. Long and the short of it - they couldn't find this.

I did a brief look online before going there and found many references to 'internet starter pack bundles' in the Telkom FAQs (only) but ran out of time before having to hit the road.

Would you perhaps have any links to this product?
 
AlexFl said:
Went into a Telkom store this morning to get the 1GB * 12 month internet starter pack bundle. They huddled together and searched and search and punched USSD's into their respective phones. Long and the short of it - they couldn't find this.

I did a brief look online before going there and found many references to 'internet starter pack bundles' in the Telkom FAQs (only) but ran out of time before having to hit the road.

Would you perhaps have any links to this product?
Click to expand...

Sorry... Never mind. I found it on 2nd attempt. Have activated it on a sim card given to me at the Telkom store this morning. Thanks.
 
Hi if you not sorted Cell C have this deal but only for 6 months.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2020-02-25-10-28-09-585_com.android.phone.jpg
    Screenshot_2020-02-25-10-28-09-585_com.android.phone.jpg
    122.7 KB · Views: 41
Sads-1-zn said:
Hi if you not sorted Cell C have this deal but only for 6 months.
Click to expand...


Hi

Please can you tell me what the USSD code(s) are that I should dial to purchase this Cell C deal - 50GB for R500 valid for 6 months ?

Thank you
 
AlexFl said:
Probably no more than 1GB. I've already got uncapped access at home. Just need something to help me continue working online during load shedding (ecommerce store and email). Also have a more portable laptop that might get mobile with me. Cell phone monthly package doesn't have a big data bundle to hot-spot.
Click to expand...

Vodascum 1GB pm x 12 @R899 once off(we have no native cell c and telkom here).
 
I'm on prepaid, I don't if contract has this option.
*147#
Buy bundles>data>6 months
 
You should be able to buy small amounts of data 100MB to 4GB on the Mo'Nice plan on any prepaid Telkom Mobile SIM. Just dial *123# and choose the data option. I can usually purchase a 4GB bundle for R60 that lasts for 30 days. There are also smaller bundles at lower prices that might be more appropriate. The price should be around R16/GB.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X