Data card

[wlamb]

With all the talk of the data cards being locked , I have decided it might be best to buy a data card cash. I would like an HSDPA compatible card. What is the best make to get and where can I get one that is not network locked in Jhb? Any idea on prices?
Secondly, if I have a 3g 500 meg add on bundle (R280pm), will I be able to get a separate sim card or do I need to take out a contract with Vodacom for this and am I obliged to take out a 24 month contract in order to get a sim card for this data card?
Lastly, will I get HSDPA transfer speeds on this bundle or only 3g transfer speeds?

 

[diabolus]

Secondly, if I have a 3g 500 meg add on bundle (R280pm), will I be able to get a separate sim card or do I need to take out a contract with Vodacom for this and am I obliged to take out a 24 month contract in order to get a sim card for this data card?
Lastly, will I get HSDPA transfer speeds on this bundle or only 3g transfer speeds?

Don't know the answer to the first question, but if the rumours are true i am sure the retail of datacards will become more visible as people tries to avoid being locked in to a single provider.

As for 2nd question, any data enabled sim card should work with whatever datacard you use. Do you want a 2nd sim with the same number "sharing" the
bundle etc? I believe that service is available, called "twin sim" or something, but you can only use one at a given moment [i.e. can't be on the web with datacard AND have your cellphone turned on to receive calls at the same time]. Either way , you can probalby just use the same sim..provided you can live with the sim swopping.

As for transfer speeds, i pay R350 for my 500MB bundle, that's the HSDPA price. The R280 sounds like the 3G price, so short answer : No, you won't get
HSDPA unless you pay R350 for your bundle.

But if i were you, i would just get an MTN prepaid sim and load bundles on that [no contract]. I wouldn't take out a contract "just" to get databundles. If you can get a card [unlocked] then yea might be useful, otherwise it's a big waste if you bought the card cash. Of course MTN doesn't seem to be HSDPA enabled yet, but i am sure it won't take them 2 years to get there [the length of a Voda contract].

 

[internaut]

Like diabolus said that 500MB for R280 is only on Vodacom Contract packages.
Prepaid is R2 per MB.
The speed you get depends on the speed of the card and available coverage.

 

[charl.voster]

As for transfer speeds, i pay R350 for my 500MB bundle, that's the HSDPA price. The R280 sounds like the 3G price, so short answer : No, you won't get
HSDPA unless you pay R350 for your bundle.

If I understand correctly, Vodacom3g is saying that this is not the case. The hardware determines the speed/price. The bundle/price does not determine the speed.

EG: if you have a GPRS/3G bundle and connect via a HSDPA card, then you will be billed HSDPA prices. (out of bundle prices at R2.00/MB?)

 

[diabolus]

EG: if you have a GPRS/3G bundle and connect via a HSDPA card, then you will be billed HSDPA prices. (out of bundle prices at R2.00/MB?)

Yes, i completely forgot about that silly system. So in short: If you have an HSDPA device you WILL pay R350 for 500MB whether you like it or not [no matter what speed you actually get]. Only way you will get the R280 rate is
getting a non-HSDPA/[non-EDGE?] device...

Basically i would simply ignore the so called "reduced tariffs", it's one of those
paradox flukes because in 6 months every device will have EDGE and/or HSDPA and no one will be able to get it.

 

[wlamb]

Yes, i completely forgot about that silly system. So in short: If you have an HSDPA device you WILL pay R350 for 500MB whether you like it or not [no matter what speed you actually get]. Only way you will get the R280 rate is
getting a non-HSDPA/[non-EDGE?] device...

Basically i would simply ignore the so called "reduced tariffs", it's one of those
paradox flukes because in 6 months every device will have EDGE and/or HSDPA and no one will be able to get it.

The thing is I tested my phone sim card with a R280 3g bundle in a friends vodafone data card on the weekend and I gor HSDPA transfer rates... I also asked the 155 data desk (for what thats worth) and they said you will get HSDPA transfer rates on my R280 3G add on bundle

I would preferably like a second separate sim card for my data card but why should I pay for a second sim or be forced into a contract to get it. I think Vodacom should review things as they may just lose me as a customer due to their rigid/restrictive offerings !!

Anyway, im off to the UK this weekend so maybe I'll just find me a data card there which is not locked into any network (if thats possible) and go with whichever network I like when I get back !!

F#%K 2 year contracts !!!