Does using data only keep an MTN prepaid SIM active?

Insider said:
It's totally reasonable. Without this mechanism there will be thousands of computer generated retries with PIN permutations (fraudulent attempts). This will in turn overload the recharge mechanisms to such an extent that regular customers cannot use the system.

This has been seen in the network during times when bugs allowed this kind of behaviour.
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MtN should rethink this. I mislaid a recharge voucher. When I 'found' it I entered the PIN. It didn't work. Thinking I had entered something wrong, I tried again. <<**Boom**>> , lockout.

Also the MtN mechanism isn't great. Sometimes I enter everything correctly and the system hasn't accepted it. {I haven't had a system related problem recently though.}
 
Good day,

Will take this up and get back to you guys

MTNDD
 
sean12 said:
Is there a warning before deactivation????

There was a post saying a SMS 5 days before. Is this correct?

Sean
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Good day,

With this one we are looking at putting in something next year if you use R10 worth of data then it automatically initiates access for life otherwise for the time being if you make a call or load a bundle then it initiates access for life

Hope this helps

MTNDD
 
Confirmed: data does NOT count towards keeping a SIM active!

Having originally started this thread, I can now categorically confirm that using prepaid data will NOT keep your SIM alive!

Lo and behold, no sooner had I posted the original query than up came the MTN warning when I popped my SIM into a cellphone out of curiosity, that I would be deactivated in five days if no voice call was made! Which now explains why, despite substantial and constant data-only MTN prepaid SIM usage in datacards, they keep dying on me every three months (taking my balance with them!)

MTN: this is ludicrous! USAGE IS USAGE, whatever kind it is. Those of us using a lot of data can't be bothered constantly having to remove the SIM from our laptop data cards to keep checking whether they will expire, AND to then have to make a useless voice call just to avoid the inconvenience. Many of us use our SIMs daily for data -- and yet you will cut us off after three months! I respectfully suggest this needs a rethink....
 
Terencek said:
Having originally started this thread, I can now categorically confirm that using prepaid data will NOT keep your SIM alive!

Lo and behold, no sooner had I posted the original query than up came the MTN warning when I popped my SIM into a cellphone out of curiosity, that I would be deactivated in five days if no voice call was made! Which now explains why, despite substantial and constant data-only MTN prepaid SIM usage in datacards, they keep dying on me every three months (taking my balance with them!)

MTN: this is ludicrous! USAGE IS USAGE, whatever kind it is. Those of us using a lot of data can't be bothered constantly having to remove the SIM from our laptop data cards to keep checking whether they will expire, AND to then have to make a useless voice call just to avoid the inconvenience. Many of us use our SIMs daily for data -- and yet you will cut us off after three months! I respectfully suggest this needs a rethink....
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I agree fully.

Will forward your complaint to MTN and feedback once i have feedback.
 
Terencek said:
Having originally started this thread, I can now categorically confirm that using prepaid data will NOT keep your SIM alive!

Lo and behold, no sooner had I posted the original query than up came the MTN warning when I popped my SIM into a cellphone out of curiosity, that I would be deactivated in five days if no voice call was made! Which now explains why, despite substantial and constant data-only MTN prepaid SIM usage in datacards, they keep dying on me every three months (taking my balance with them!)

MTN: this is ludicrous! USAGE IS USAGE, whatever kind it is. Those of us using a lot of data can't be bothered constantly having to remove the SIM from our laptop data cards to keep checking whether they will expire, AND to then have to make a useless voice call just to avoid the inconvenience. Many of us use our SIMs daily for data -- and yet you will cut us off after three months! I respectfully suggest this needs a rethink....
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Hi

Where did you get the SIMS ie. Store such as Pnp. I have some Sims that I bought from PnP and they have not expired as of yet. +-3 Months ago.

I also have Sims Bought in October last year that have not expired yet, despite only using DATA.

I have just checked the access for life on 555 and it said I have to make a call in the next 0 days, This card is approx 3.5 months old and not yet expired.

Sean
 
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sean12 said:
Hi

Where did you get the SIMS ie. Store such as Pnp. I have some Sims that I bought from PnP and they have not expired as of yet. +-3 Months ago.

I also have Sims Bought in October last year that have not expired yet, despite only using DATA.

I have just checked the access for life on 555 and it said I have to make a call in the next 0 days, This card is approx 3.5 months old and not yet expired.

Sean
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This latest SIM, only just brought back from the brink of deactivation, actually came from my local MTN outlet! Perhaps it really doesn't pay to 'do the right thing' and buy from the actual vendor; maybe we'd be better off with cheapies from PnP???? (Which don't expire, unlike the full-price real mccoy? Surely not.....)
 
Pitbull said:
I agree fully.

Will forward your complaint to MTN and feedback once i have feedback.
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Still awaiting feedback.... 2nd request sent ...

As i submit this they feedback...... Pls PM me your SIM # they'll have it reactivated for a longer period.
 
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Pitbull said:
Still awaiting feedback.... 2nd request sent ...

As i submit this they feedback...... Pls PM me your SIM # they'll have it reactivated for a longer period.
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I agree usage is usage,

As I mentioned we are working on something, but will look for a short term fix

MTNDD
 
Prepaid SimCard expiry.

I have a Vodafone modem which I use an MTN Sim card in mostly for emergencies when I can't get online with my Axxess uncapped ADSL account.

Yesterday I put the sim card into a phone and got a text message warning me that my sim card was about to expire in the next day or so.

I have about 50 Rand prepaid on the sim card.

Can the just close down my sim card and nick my 50 Rand?

I phoned another phone for a couple of seconds and hopefully this means I have another 90 days before they can try this trick again.

What is the minimum I need to do to keep the sim card active? One 3 second phone call every 90 days? I'm sure I used the modem within the last 90 days; does data not count as a transaction?
 
Lucky I put it into the phone, then. I would have lost my 50 bucks and the sim card. I don't have Rica, so losing the sim card would have been a pain.
 
I have a prepaid data sim in my laptop, 20 months now and its never been used for calling. I have used it to sms when I am out of country tho. Just put some more money on it and it wont expire. I am guessing you have not done that in a while.
 
moklet said:
You better get rica'ed because at a certain point in time they will disconnect all unrica'ed sim cards
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Any idea when and how this will happen? Surely they can't just cut off people's phone numbers without warning?
 
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