Disappearing airtime on Vodacom and Cell C

[Jamie McKane]

Disappearing airtime on Vodacom and Cell C

The results of our latest disappearing airtime test show that when connected to Wi-Fi under identical conditions, Vodacom and Cell C SIMs were charged for out-of-bundle data while MTN and Telkom SIMs were not.

To find out whether "disappearing airtime" is still a real phenomenon in South Africa, we decided to test each of the four main mobile networks - Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

done

 

[ProfA]

And nothing will come of this. Just like EVERY other case of cellular operators screwing over clients.

 

[Apogee]

Illegal data siphoning is a standard occurrence in the mobile networks industry it seems.

A few cents here and there multiplied by millions adds up to significant amounts.

 

[Aharon]

Ive noticed 1c is deducted every time I reboot a vodacom sim. Must be the second when it starts up before handover to wifi.

MTN on the other hand were definitely taking some money, claiming I had a number diversion on my sim. They gave me a code to delete all diversions but... airtime is still vanishing.

 

[RazedInBlack]

So the excuse is poor quality wi-fi connection?

Yet:

The smartphones remained powered on and connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection in the same location for the duration of the test.

A stable Wi-Fi connection was maintained throughout the test.

Ok

 

[supersunbird]

Ive noticed 1c is deducted every time I reboot a vodacom sim. Must be the second when it starts up before handover to wifi.

MTN on the other hand were definitely taking some money, claiming I had a number diversion on my sim. They gave me a code to delete all diversions but... airtime is still vanishing.

You need to stop the WASP services too.

 

[Aharon]

I don't have any wasps. Was the first thing I checked

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

They steal from us, as if raping us up front is not bad enough.

 

[RudderVator]

What have you become Vodacom...? Network used to be the best now it is a disgrace... Used to be the cool kid now resorts to stealing couple of cents of airtime....

 

[KurtPloc]

MTN too, they also steal your money with their scam MTN Gamer+ and other scams. I use my mobile phone to connect to the internet and hotspot to my computer, and every bladdy day, MTN Gamer+ automatically installs their **** on my phone and automatically subscribe me to their scams. I think the Mobile Service providers are involved and these are crooks & scammers, and they have a special name for it, "Premium content subscription" or "content management" WHATEVER, its all just scams!!!!
Oja, they have hidden code on websites, facebook, all over actually where they search and steal your mobile number, and that is how they install and subscribe you to their scams. This is crime and NOBODY can do anything about it!

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

The government steals from it's citizens, multinationals steal from their clients, who are expected to be honest and pay their dues, so we can screwed over, and over again. Awesome society we are part of.

 

[AfricanTech]

Vodaliars - my phone is fully on WiFi at the end of the month when the data bundle expires - usually in the middle of the night - next morning I see a message "You've used R0.56 out-of-bundle data on xxxxxxx so far this month..."

Thieves

 

[DailyTech]

My CellC data shows more data on the app details, than it does when I check via the USSD *101#
where does this data go to

 

[supersunbird]

My CellC data shows more data on the app details, than it does when I check via the USSD *101#
where does this data go to

I miss DailyTech I even had a green +6 up-vote once or twice

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

My CellC data shows more data on the app details, than it does when I check via the USSD *101#
where does this data go to

ET is calling home ...

 

[Aharon]

@Jamie McKane @rpm

So my MTN balance is reducing continuously. I spoke to MTN on Twitter and they told me there is a "diversion" on my line and to dial ##002# to delete this. OK point taken, I dialed the code and got a message - all diversions deleted.

I check my balance today and guess what - another R5 is missing. I went onto the MTN app, which nicely shows no charges in the last 14 days which is correct. The phone is only for incoming calls and wifi. I managed to get a statement off the app, and guess what - the diversion is to voicemail and is billing every single time a call goes to voicemail.

Since when is voicemail billable?!