How to check airtime from a datacard?

[Terencek]

Does anyone know if there's a way to check remaining prepaid airtime directly from a datacard, without having to remove the SIM, put it in a cellphone and dial *100# (or the equivalent MTN, CellC or Virgin numbers)?

The excellent free NetMeter (http://readerror.gmxhome.de/) is great for keeping track of data traffic, speeds etc., far more comprehensive than the software bundled with the datacards, but ultimately we still have to switch the SIM card to a phone to find out exactly how much we still have left in cash credit.

Any ideas out there?

 

[eagle-slayor]

i dont think there is a way
it wud be great thou if u cud send a free sms requesting our balance

 

[rsachoc]

There is a way on MTN, see here http://myadsl.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=39793

Not sure about Vodacom though

 

[kedul]

You can check it using hyperterminal, as long as you are not connected using
the Mobile Connect program .. at least this works on my HSDPA card.

I couldnt get it to work on my previous Merlin 3G card though.

 

[debug]

The above mentioned (MTN) thread only works on the Sierra cards. Not the Huawei E620's.

The only advice I have (that works for me) is to get a standard motorola headset, plug it into the card (if possible) and dial "5151" on vodacom or "555" on MTN. None of the dashboard software seem to able to accept inputs like *100# and outputting it on the screen yet or the card doesn't support it (USSD).

d

 

[CeeBee]

it's a pity the MTN E620 card's software doesn't have all the options. I dunnu what the Voda Cards software is like, but the MTN Edge Sierra Wireless card has a great dashboard menu. It has a menu for your ISP also, like the VC, MTN or VM menu in your phone. So from the card's software u can check account airtime balance, even buy prepaid credit, cellphone banking etc.
Using the normal E620 software u cud also just go to the phone/sms function, and send *101# (or whateva) or phone, to get the balance sent back. Should be free call / sms?

 

[debug]

CeeBee - Is there a link where we can download the MTN Sierra software ? I can't seem to find it anywhere. I saw some screenshots of the the app and it looks alot like the Huawei software I'm using now.

The Vodacom (VMC) software is total crap (slow and unaccurate..)

d

 

[CeeBee]

I found this link to get the software
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/software_ac775_cw_ENU.aspx
looks like its mainly for the cingular network, but if we can use voda/vm also on the MTN software, should be OK?
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/sd_ac775.aspx
this link gives u the option of which network's software to choose

 

[CeeBee]

:-( I had a look now though, with the VM sim in the SW card it has the VM menu, as on the phone with airtime balance recharge etc. but with the MTN sim it only gives the normal MTN menu, as on the phone... i.e. not airtime balance, u gotta phone, so suppose VC will also only give VC menu...