eSim Backup solution for MTN on different network

[tndl79]

I use MTN across the family's devices, including household WiFi. (blackfriday contract allows 400GB/mo of the data contract to be shared with other MTN SIMs). While cost effective, its also leaves us vulnerable when the network goes down. In the last week we've experienced a lot of issues.

I've got a phone which can load unlimited eSIMs, and I'm looking for a good alternative network strictly for backup, preferably prepaid, that doesn't have 30day data expiration. I would likely not use it every single month, but when I do use it (mtn goes down) I'd probably use it for quite a few gigs. I'd want at least 5gb available any given month.

Also id want it preloaded, rather than needing network access to load the gigs at the time of need, as I most likely would get taken offline at that point...

What are good alternatives at this point from CellC, telkom, vodacom and others not relying on MTN?

 

[susefan]

Telkom if you have coverage, they have ptepaid esim, most of their prepaid LTE data goes for 61 days.

 

[DeTector]

Cell C prepaid esim, they do offer data that does not expire on one of their plans (you actually just keep airtime and the data rate is like R30/gb. Problem with this is they use MTN for prepaid which means if MTN goes down so will it. Capitec also offers the same, but they are an MVNO on Cell C, which again runs on MTN and don't offer esim. So your best bet is Telkom with 61 days expiry. Or Vodacom and just buy a year bundle (very expensive). Rain does not offer esim yet.

 

[R_Factor]

I’m using a Cell C eSim as a backup network. Bought two gigs to test the network and right now it’s working perfectly while MTN has been all over the place for the past few weeks.

only considered Cell C because they have a 50GB bundle valid for 6 months and it works on all Fibre/ WiFi networks for WiFi calling, this is important especially if you travel overseas on occasion and need to call home at local prepaid rates. Around 70c a min if I’m correct.

 

[R_Factor]

Cell C prepaid esim, they do offer data that does not expire on one of their plans (you actually just keep airtime and the data rate is like R30/gb. Problem with this is they use MTN for prepaid which means if MTN goes down so will it. Capitec also offers the same, but they are an MVNO on Cell C, which again runs on MTN and don't offer esim. So your best bet is Telkom with 61 days expiry. Or Vodacom and just buy a year bundle (very expensive). Rain does not offer esim yet.

Cell C LTE is functional for some reason even though MTN has been absolutely useless since this morning.

Also using my airtime to call over my home fibre which MTN WiFi Calling is very hit and miss with ( very picky which hotspots or WiFi it chooses to work over )

 

[DeTector]

Cell C LTE is functional for some reason even though MTN has been absolutely useless since this morning.

Also using my airtime to call over my home fibre which MTN WiFi Calling is very hit and miss with ( very picky which hotspots or WiFi it chooses to work over )

Yeah Cell C still manages their own network (incl. WiFi Calling), just uses MTN towers. So if it's a tower issue Cell C will be equally affected.

 

[airborne]

Me & You R1 esim, you get 20min free pre month.

 

[AadilG]

Me & You R1 esim, you get 20min free pre month.

Is it the free esim offered ?

It's okay I found it

 

[ebendl]

Sorry to bump this. I'm having increasing MTN issues myself and will probably look at getting an eSim for my iPhone 11 too.

One aspect that I would like to cover is out of the city in the country side. MTN is just somehwere non-existant, while Vodacom (the inlaws are all on Vodacom) tend to offer service (at least where we go). But I haven't heard anything about Vodacom's prepaid eSims yet...

When going out of the city - on which network does Telkom roam these days?