Does using data only keep an MTN prepaid SIM active?

MTN_Data_Dude said:
I agree usage is usage,

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

MTNDD
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Hi,


MTN Data Dude posted this a few years ago. any news on this (changes with RICA) etc. ?

-----------------

I have 1 Voda and 1 MTN Simcards which I use only for data (depending on reception quality I switch). Making a small little call every 3 months is a VERY annoying task. I usually don't have airtime on the sim card (only data) so for each sim card I need to:

1) take the sim card out of the modem
2) take the sim card out of a phone
3) switch on phone and wait for that to happen
4) load airtime and make call
5) reverse steps 1 and 2
6) connect to the internet again

All of this takes quite a lot of time. loading and buying airtime is not an easy, quick task whether online or at a shop (traffic, queues etc)



Also, is it not a future possibilty to check my balance online, and do all of this annoying admin online. this is so dark ages of mtn and vodacom. at least Vodacom warn me with an sms when my data balance is nearing empty (which I can view on my PC without hassle :-), but MTN??!!

Is it not at least possible for me to send an SMS once every three months and this is enough to keep the card from expiry? (I can do this within about 20 seconds from my PC without taking out sim cards etc.)

NOTE >> It would be nice to have an automated SMS sent to me every week say telling me of my balance? I think this is a good idea and most customers would appreciate it (both voda and mtn). Or can I send an SMS to the network operator and receve a reply sms stating my balance please?? PLEASE, THIS WOULD REALLY MAKE MY LIFE EASIER!! It would mean I don't have to remove my SIM Card from my modem (to check balances and keep my card from disconnection) and I'd happily pay for that convience.

I top up my data at least once every 40 days, isn't this good enough to keep my SIM Card active?
 
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Although some forum members report prepaid SIMS going on forever just accessing data, that's certainly not been my experience; a while back I had my SIM cancelled with nearly a hundred bucks on it simply because I only used it for data and had not made a call. I appealed to the local agent, and was escalated to customer service, but they were adamant and I lost.

As I understood it from them at the time, the rule is still a minimum one-minute call every three months. However I have had different and conflicting information from MTN reps specifiying that (a) a paid SMS counts instead or (b) loading new airtime counts instead, or even that (b) the paid call has to be to another MTN number! It really is an utterly silly situation -- especially with providers now saying that as we reach a cellphone saturation point, the real growth lies with data! I know quite a few folks who can't be bothered with this petty complication and thus use Vodacom for their data instead. MTN's loss....
 
Terencek said:
However I have had different and conflicting information from MTN reps specifiying that (a) a paid SMS counts instead or (b) loading new airtime counts instead, or even that (b) the paid call has to be to another MTN number!
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I've read that too, and it worked for me recently.
Terencek said:
It really is an utterly silly situation -- especially with providers now saying that as we reach a cellphone saturation point, the real growth lies with data! I know quite a few folks who can't be bothered with this petty complication and thus use Vodacom for their data instead. MTN's loss....
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+1
 
Purchasing an MTN Data bundle is seen as a "chargeable event" and that will keep the SIM alive. Also, the comment that the call needs to be longer than a minute is incorrect - if the call was connected and you were charged for it, no matter how much, it's a chargeable event and once again will keep the SIM alive. Also, sending an SMS from a phone also keeps the SIM alive even if no data or voice is ever used - free SMS'es do no apply.
 
I can confirm that the call does not have to be a minute. I made a very brief call and my SIM card is still active.

However, it's a real pain.
 
MTN Data Dude or any other official person please could you comment to help us out here...
 
7seven7 said:
MTN Data Dude or any other official person please could you comment to help us out here...
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The answer is "No, using data only does not keep an MTN pre-paid SIM active.".

You need to make a phone call or send an SMS every 90 days otherwise your SIM will be deactivated and you will forfeit any airtime and data bundle balances.
 
So you can use R10 000 worth of data over this period, and have R10 000's worth of balances left, and then you lose it all.

Impressive ! Theft on a grand scale !
 
ginggs said:
The answer is "No, using data only does not keep an MTN pre-paid SIM active.".

You need to make a phone call or send an SMS every 90 days otherwise your SIM will be deactivated and you will forfeit any airtime and data bundle balances.
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My understanding is that Purchasing an MTN Data bundle is seen as a "chargeable event", as stated in this post from the previous page.

Mr Anderson said:
Purchasing an MTN Data bundle is seen as a "chargeable event" and that will keep the SIM alive. Also, the comment that the call needs to be longer than a minute is incorrect - if the call was connected and you were charged for it, no matter how much, it's a chargeable event and once again will keep the SIM alive. Also, sending an SMS from a phone also keeps the SIM alive even if no data or voice is ever used - free SMS'es do no apply.
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Ginggs is right on this one, you have to make a call or send an sms every 90 days, using data does not constitute- the joys of prepaid sadly...
 
Just to get this straight?

Purchasing an MTN Data bundle is NOT seen as a "chargeable event"?

Yes I understand that using data in itself does not qualify, but Anderson was quite clear that the purchase of data bundles did.
 
Well when you are purchasing an sms bundle for instance thats not hitting your 90 days either right? its only when you are using that sms bundle thats its kept active. Remember that timeslots are kept active for voice calls whilst data is merley flowing through the timeslots in increments, well at least thats the excuse they were using way back when, its still the same story though...
 
thanks for comments - sending an sms is a lot less hassle than making a voice call... (can do this using the modem software). not ideal but better...

can anybody confirm if purchasing a data bundle resets the 90 day window to day 1?

can anybody advise how many days warning they give u before cutting u off (they send u a warning sms 1st?)
 
snakepit said:
Ginggs is right on this one, you have to make a call or send an sms every 90 days, using data does not constitute- the joys of prepaid sadly...
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Vodacom works differently - my sim's been in my E272 for more than 2 years now...
 
I recently also 'lost' an MTN SIM that was used only in a modem (i.e. for data calls). It was active for over 9 months without making any voice calls or sending SMS.
I did load data bundles on it regularly but then left the modem + SIM to my mother who stopped doing this. One wonderful sunshine day the SIM stopped working and nothing could be done to rectify the problem and with went the remaining credit...

Bottom line: I think that buying data bundles renews ones 90 day 'airtime' window but data calls do not have this effect.
 
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