Data Card, Data Bundle & Pre-Paid Options

vodacom3g said:
Went shopping today at various retail outlets. Wanted to see what the retailers are coming up with.

1) If you take a Weekender (R135/month) contract, you can get a 3G data card FREE.
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vodacom3g , I cannot locate this deal anywhere.

Do you have any precise info from Vodashop Beau West ?
 
vodacom3g said:
1) If you take a Weekender (R135/month) contract, you can get a 3G data card FREE.

2) If you take a Messenger (R35/month) contract, you can get the 3G data card for R1700.

As mentioned before, shop around. The retailers can get very creative when competing for your money.
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I went to my nearest Vodashop (Constantia) and asked them about cheap/free data cards on lower-end contracts, and they basically went "Huh?" and got that deer-in-headlights look. On further pressing they conceded that such offers *might* be available after March 1st.

Needless to say, I left feeling that they were somewhat lacking in the creativity and competitiveness stakes!
 
Hi all, v3g,

I went to VodaWorld in Midrand and asked all the retailers about their 3G packages and none admitted to having lower end packages / month-to-month packages with self-bought data cards. I know I do not have the greatest negotiating skills but all steadfastly stuck by their single "24 month contract with FREE Samsung 3G phone or Data card" package...

I understand you (v3g) cannot mention individual retailers but could you advise me on the secret words/handshake required to get the sort of contracts you mentioned in your "3 options mail"? And whether it is available at any one of the retailers at VodaWorld Midrand (you need not mention which one but just if I will not waste time by going there and asking around again - I live in Pretoria N).

I am not trying to dodge the system but I spend about 4-8 months outside the country each year and would really make use of mobile internet access but to pay for all those months that I do not use is a massive waste, so a basic package which I can flexibly add on 3G data access for the months I need it is ideal!

Thanks in advance.
 
All retailers have this, so print out a copy and take it with! Don't take no for an answer! I don't know about a secret handshake but maybe a flat palm....

V502452 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CORD FREE ON 3G ONE + FREE SIM & CONNECTION + IB MANDATORY
V502453 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON 3G TWO + FREE SIM & CONNECTION + IB MANDATORY
V502454 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON 3G THREE + FREE SIM & CONNECTION IB MANDATORY
V502455 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON 3G FIVE + FREE SIM & CONNECTION IB MANDATORY
V502456 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON 3G TEN + FREE SIM & CONNECTION IB MANDATORY

V402457 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD @ R1719.00 CASH ON MESSENGER
V402458 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD @ R409.00 CASH ON FAMILY TOP UP
V402459 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON WEEKEND
V402460 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON BUS, TALK 120 & 240
V402461 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON BUSINESS TOP UP
V402462 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON TALK 500 & 1000
V402463 VODAFONE 3G/GPRS MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON TOP UP 590

V502464 SONY ERICSSON T230 + MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON BUS, TALK 120 & 240
V502465 SIEMENS SL55 + MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON TALK 500 & 1000
V502466 NOKIA 6610i + MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON TALK 500 & 1000
V502467 NOKIA 2600 + MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON BUS, TALK 120 & 240
V502468 MOTOROLA V500 + MOBILE CONNECT CARD FREE ON TALK 500 & 1000
 
Excellent! Thank you V3g! I will look into it this afternoon and definitely let everyone know how it goes.

Again, excellent feedback from vodacom!

Cheers!
 
Those of us that took the 3G datacard - 1GB in January (when this was the only option available) and subsequently had most of the troubles and issues/did most of the testing, didn't have all the other options and packages available.

My point is we never used the service for what it was supposed to be..

Would there be any migration options available to us (downscale/upscale)

Anything?
 
Are any of the phones mentioned in those specials any good? I had a look at the Sony Ericsson one and was a bit disappointed. It has to at least have blue tooth.
 
agentpt, I'll pick this up with you on e-mail.

For everyone's info:

Agentpt is so adamant to use 3G, he's got a laptop nailed (just about) to a tree outside his house!

Talk about dedication.

agentpt said:
Those of us that took the 3G datacard - 1GB in January (when this was the only option available) and subsequently had most of the troubles and issues/did most of the testing, didn't have all the other options and packages available.

My point is we never used the service for what it was supposed to be..

Would there be any migration options available to us (downscale/upscale)

Anything?
Click to expand...
 
Hi all,

Promised some feedback - went ok at VodaWorld yesterday - after initially shaking their heads at my questions of package deals with 3G, I mentioned the deals v3g sent us in detail and they seemed to perk up and acknowledge they existed!? Why are these guys so missinformed?

Anyway, great service eventually after the 3rd try, but I insisted on a test to see if my business software would work with 3G, and the software would not install!! - maybe a problem with my OS but who ever knows with this kind of thing? So setbacks once again. They very kindly offered to try my businesses software on their demo laptop which is what I'll be trying to do today (I did not have the installs with me) - if it works, then we know I need a new laptop (or at least a re-install of everything which I am loath to do) to use 3G - nothing like hidden costs and downtime!

I mentioned the poor download speeds I'd tested on the demo laptops at the entrance (2~8Kb/s) and the salesman said, 'all the demo pcs here are probably sharing a common port - or something - and so their bandwidth is shared...' - any truth in this?

And what a really silly way to demo a product whose basic sales point is speed: to setup a demo of that product in an environment with reduced speeds!!! I initiated a 2.6Meg download and the average estimated download time was about 25 minutes and sometimes jumped to a few hours! I was not impressed with their demo systems at all.

Unfortunately, I have no other option than 3G for my business - so I have to take what I can get and hope that I don't "share any ports" with too many other users when I actually need to work...

Cheers,
N
 
Hi,

3G does not share 'ports' or anything else on the radio network. As load increase, the cell will shrink, but throughput should stay the same. I'll find out why the demo systems are so slow. A bit like going for a test drive in a Porsche with 2 cylinders not running....

What is shared is the connection to the Internet, so this, together with loading of the site you're trying to access, could be a potential bottle neck.

Due to the rapid uptake of the 3G service, these links are constantly upgraded. It's due to double again in the next few days.

Can you remember the actual problem when they tried to install the dashboard on your laptop? (I assume this was what happened?)

If it was a Novatel card and the drivers would not install, this is a known problem with some laptops and there are workarounds for it. Give me a shout, if you need help or call 082-155

The 3G software creates a normal dial-up connection, so if your software worked over dial-up, ISDN or ADSL, it'll work over 3G.
 
Loading the dash on my laptop gave less hassels than loading a modem. The speeds at the shop look stuffed. I run faster than that surfing and downloading at the same time.
 
I went to Vodashop , Van Riebeeck Ave , Edenvale yesterday. Frik, the resident scientist told me a) that the new data card only bundles (Weekender up) on offer do not include talk minutes and b) you can only send sms's. He explained that you get a data card and the subs you pay (depending on your talk package) get you discount off the per MB rate.

What followed was my gob being smacked.

So I said if I sign up for the Talk 1000 i am paying R 1400 just to get 50cents or so off my per MB bill ? DOH ! I don't get voice minutes ? NOPE !! Friendly Frik also added the bundles (ie R35 for 20MB and so on) are not on sale.

I was in Bedfordview yesterday afternoon so went into Eastgate - finally , a Vodashop with intelligence. They knew everything.

vodacom3g, Frik needs training. That's my polite advice anyways...
 
Great stuff. Thanks for the info. I just signed up on a weekender contract (R135) getting the 3G datacard for free . Printing out that list did help quite a bit, even the instore sales person admitted she can't keep up with the 3G related options. [Seems i was the first person so far to take the weekender+datacard option at that particular store, and she actually had to verify on her list].

So "being up to date" is probably still an issue, if i came in there and asked that the salesperson suggest an option, i seriously doubt the sales person would ever have suggested the particular package. Before reading this thread i did query at a local shop (Stellenbosch) and they only came up with a R95 contract [getting some useless nokia phone] and no perks. (Messenger didn't even came up).

Luckily i read this thread!

Now just waiting until they activate the SIM, i popped in my prepaid SIM and it works pretty well :P
 
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IMO reseller outlets (i.e. cellular shops) of information age products & services that cannot keep up (with the information age itself) belong in a museum...it is surely the outlet's responsibility to keep themselves informed - for their own good as well as that of their customers.

It is also the consumer's own responsibility to investigate all options as thoroughly as possible before making decisions - do not expect reseller outlets to act in the consumer's best interests.

I seriously recommend that outlets punting 3G should self educate by tuning into this forum & taking note of what v3g tells consumers.

:)
 
Currently only the data bundles are available in smaller than 1Gb packages. For example, you can take the Messenger + data card for ~R1700 cash and strap any of the smaller packages on top of this.

"If you want a data card contract smaller than 1Gb, I'd suggest not to do anything till around Tuesday/Wednesday."

No. 16 in the ongoing series of cryptic responses.
 
vodacom3g said:
"If you want a data card contract smaller than 1Gb, I'd suggest not to do anything till around Tuesday/Wednesday."

No. 16 in the ongoing series of cryptic responses.
Click to expand...

Thnks, I'll wait for the announcement then ;)
 
"If you want a data card contract smaller than 1Gb, I'd suggest not to do anything till around Tuesday/Wednesday."

No. 16 in the ongoing series of cryptic responses.
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Damn, just when i sign a weekender?
Here's a hypothetical question:

Is it possible to switch/change contracts assuming the new contract is equal or more in monthly payments ?
For example, lets say this scenario crops up:

I have a weekender with 120 free minutes and all kinds of cheaper call rates and paying R135 a month. I add data bundles to it of say about R200 [250 MB] and use the entire setup primarily for data. So in total i pay R335 , but Vodacom can only budget based on R135 as i can drop the bundles anytime.

Now lets say Vodacom steps up a gear and come up with <1GB Data specific contracts. I.e. a 3G-300 , which is R300 per month and you get 300MB "free" with it. Or something like R200 a month and you get 100MB "free". Either way, you can then add the variety of bundles to it.

Can one then switch to such a contract? [i'm sure this will happen in the next few months?], or will i be stuck with a weekender ?

I do expect one would forfeit whatever perks you would get in the beginning [bigger phone etc].
 
vodacom3g said:
Currently only the data bundles are available in smaller than 1Gb packages. For example, you can take the Messenger + data card for ~R1700 cash and strap any of the smaller packages on top of this.

"If you want a data card contract smaller than 1Gb, I'd suggest not to do anything till around Tuesday/Wednesday."

No. 16 in the ongoing series of cryptic responses.
Click to expand...

Oh you're such a tease :) Can you give us any clues?

I don't have the greatest track record when it comes to patience.

V3G, how easy/difficult is it to get a second contract through Vodacom? I'm already on a Weekender and am now due for an upgrade and want to get myself a nice new phone. However, since the Nokia 3G phone is taking so long to be released and I really don't want the E1000, I had decided to settle for a non 3G phone and had considered taking the Messenger package (getting the data card for R1700). But not sure if I can take a second contract. I don't fancy going through the whole application process again.

Whats your view? Thanks.
 
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