Disappearing data - Vodacom explains

WireFree said:
Mybroadband does speed tests, but no data usage tests.

Mybroadband and the press have not tried to validate the missing data claims.

Take new SIMs from different operators, load the same amount of data and then use the SIMs in identical dongles in identical computers (with the exact same software loaded on each one). Browse the same websites and then check the amount of data remaining. Then leave the SIMs in a locked cupboard for 2 to 3 weeks and then check the amount of data available.
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And don't ever tell the providers the numbers
 
WireFree said:
Mybroadband does speed tests, but no data usage tests.

Mybroadband and the press have not tried to validate the missing data claims.

Take new SIMs from different operators, load the same amount of data and then use the SIMs in identical dongles in identical computers (with the exact same software loaded on each one). Browse the same websites and then check the amount of data remaining. Then leave the SIMs in a locked cupboard for 2 to 3 weeks and then check the amount of data available.
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And if they do it and there is no data loss, will the people who claim data disappears STFU?
 
Both my wife and I have had this issue with Vodacom (why we eventually left them). Usage on our phone was on multiple occasions less than HALF our data bundle, yet we were suddenly depleted. I could understand that phone reading being out by 2/5 or even 20%(VERY extreme) but 50% has me wondering what is actually happening, especially when miraculously it's almost 100% spot on for the next few months until the cycle repeated.
 
supersunbird said:
And if they do it and there is no data loss, will the people who claim data disappears STFU?
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You will still have the disappearing data people, especially the people who do not understand the auto updates, background apps, etc. (which is a large number anyway).

After the download test, if the SIM cards show significantly different amounts of data depletions then someone has something to explain.
 
Darynv said:
Both my wife and I have had this issue with Vodacom (why we eventually left them). Usage on our phone was on multiple occasions less than HALF our data bundle, yet we were suddenly depleted. I could understand that phone reading being out by 2/5 or even 20%(VERY extreme) but 50% has me wondering what is actually happening, especially when miraculously it's almost 100% spot on for the next few months until the cycle repeated.
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Before the expiry date of the data?
 
Waylander said:
I honestly don't understand how people can claim that data disappears when they can install a monitor on their phone to track usage...
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Funny you mention that. Just this month, on the first, my wifes 1.5Gb was used up within 4 hours, the Telkom agent sent us an itemised Bill type report.

I bought another 1Gb a week later, poof, gone within a few hours again, the data tracker on the phone does not reflect the same amount of data being used.

So this data is definitely disappearing, it may be the network or the phone, probably the phone.

I have asked them for a Deep Packet Inspection on those 2 data sessions, but it flys over the call centre agents heads. I will have to escalate this to their network team. I just need to know what is the cause, regardless of what it is.
 
supersunbird said:
My VC data has never "disappeared" (from mid 2000s when i started using Vodacom data to March 2016 when I last bought VC data), I have no love for VC, you can ask jannie.

Every single bloody person who has asked me to look at their "disappeared" data ("you mos in IT and know about these things") I have been able to track it down to some app usage (back in the day it was that Google+ crap mostly, now its photos uploading to dropbox after being taken and for some reason the wifi limitation on that has been turned off by someone, or icloud or somesuch uploading things or the one ladies kid using 800mbs on her parents phones whatsapp, sending around funny and music videos and music mp3s and whatever, and in one 3G dongles case, ****ing POS Windows 10 Home and its pushy updates).

MTN stories I might believe, they have system issues with tracking data usage and can't track data accurately it seems.

I can also accept people buying VC data and it never being allocated to your account, but otherwise I remain very skeptical about any such claims and I'm sure it's more an issue with the device and the users lack of knowledge (or the smart phone being smarter than it's owner).
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You know I actually agree 100% on the usage part.

But that the OOB still exists on Vodacom’s network is just ridiculous and more so when there are no warning.

Data should be allowed when converted to bundle. When it hits zero it must stop, not also eat your airtime.

It’s like you car saying the petrol is finished, but let’s use the oil and brake fluid to keep going until something stops us.
 
The_MAC said:
Funny you mention that. Just this month, on the first, my wifes 1.5Gb was used up within 4 hours, the Telkom agent sent us an itemised Bill type report.

I bought another 1Gb a week later, poof, gone within a few hours again, the data tracker on the phone does not reflect the same amount of data being used.

So this data is definitely disappearing, it may be the network or the phone, probably the phone.

I have asked them for a Deep Packet Inspection on those 2 data sessions, but it flys over the call centre agents heads. I will have to escalate this to their network team. I just need to know what is the cause, regardless of what it is.
Click to expand...

The last time I used a Telkom SIM, Telkom assigned a public IP address (on the standard Internet APN) that is accessible from the public Internet. The other operators have a firewall that blocks incoming traffic from the Internet on the standard Internet APN (irrespective of whether they assign a private or public IP on the Internet APN). With the other operators you have to apply for the unrestricted APN if you want the device the SIM card is inserted into to be accessible from the Internet. If you want to use the unrestricted APN you have to sign a disclaimer. Telkom's Internet APN is equivalent to the unrestricted APN from the other operators. This is great if you want to access your PC, IP camera, etc. from the Internet but if someone sends a large amount of data to your IP address, be it spurious data, port scans, pings, etc. then you pay for it! And, poof your data is gone!

Go to http://ipaddr.es/ping.php - it will automatically populate the IP address field with your current IP address. Click on Go. If you get anything less than 100% packet loss then your phone/computer/router is possibly accessible from Internet and you pay when someone else sends data to your IP address without your knowledge.
 
me_ said:
Yes there are a lot of people who use all their data, but I think why Vodacom features more than the other operators is because they are the only ones who use data on a LIFO (Last In First Out) basis.

Here's an example:
I get 500MB per month. On the 23rd of the month, I'm running out so I buy a 250MB top up. On the last day of the month, I have 180MB left. I then get my 500MB on the 1st giving me a total of 680MB, but Vodacom uses the new monthly data first, not the carried over data so on the 22nd, I have 200MB left (20MB from monthly and 180MB from carry over). On the 23rd, the 180MB carry over expires so I drop to 20MB.
Even worse is when you actually start going into the carry over and then it expires and you immediately drop to 0 - that's where a lot of complaints about out of bundle rates comes from. On the 22nd, you have 150MB left which all expires on the 23rd so you go to 0.

I've always had an issue with this approach. I am seriously considering switching to MTN when my contract expires.

If they used FIFO (First In First Out) like MTN and the other operators, the example would change slightly:
500MB at start of month, 250MB top up on the 23rd, on the 1st, additional 500MB added for a total of 680MB.
But MTN will use data from the 250MB top up before the monthly data so on the 23rd, there is no top up amount left to expire so data remains at 200MB. This has a rolling effect of making top ups last longer and you don't get out of bundle shocks because the data doesn't just disappear.
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Yeah, I mentioned exactly this back in 2009, over 8 years ago when Vodacom first launched the carryover!

https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/166223-Vodacom-Rollover-is-here/page3?p=2758204#post2758204


8 years and they haven't upgraded their systems to something that makes sense to people. And they're supposed to be an IT company. I last used them in 2010 because of their high prices so I haven't kept up to date. I'm surprised this scam is still going on. None of the other networks use this approach with carryover data.
 
Aren't they going into Kenya ? How much will that cost and to prepare for fines as MTN in Lagos.....
 
Vodacom is just ripping off prople.the disappearing data is just a way to boost their revenue. Cell C is much more reliable when it comes to data. I am switching to Vodacom
 
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