iMessage not activating on iPhone 5

[DemonSplicer]

Hi - any idea how to get iMessage activated on Telkom mobile with the Telkom mobile number?

Its a prepaid number.

I have put the sim in, switched phone on, went to activate iMessage and FaceTime, tells me that my carrier may charge to activate it.

I click ok and it keeps on saying 'waiting for activation'

I need it to activate on the Telkom Mobile number but it just keeps hanging with that message saying waiting for activation.

Tried in 3 x different iPhones - same error/activation message? Tried a Vodacom sim and Cell C sim in same iPhone and they both register iMessage perfectly.

Telkom store in Clearwater sends me to iStore for help. iStore Clearwater sends me back to Telkom Mobile store for help.

Tried the Telkom mobile call centre and got a '...sorry, we don't know how to solve that...maybe there is a network problem. We'll get technical to call you...'

6 x calls to the call centre in 2 weeks and still nothing...

WTF?

Fail to understand how Telkom can sell the iPhone but one of its core features does not work on its network...?

Now what...?

 

[Telkom]

Hi DemonSplicer

We've had no issues with iMessage. Can you PM us your contact details so that we can call you to assist?

Regards
Telkom Mobile

Hi - any idea how to get iMessage activated on Telkom mobile with the Telkom mobile number?

Its a prepaid number.

I have put the sim in, switched phone on, went to activate iMessage and FaceTime, tells me that my carrier may charge to activate it.

I click ok and it keeps on saying 'waiting for activation'

I need it to activate on the Telkom Mobile number but it just keeps hanging with that message saying waiting for activation.

Tried in 3 x different iPhones - same error/activation message? Tried a Vodacom sim and Cell C sim in same iPhone and they both register iMessage perfectly.

Telkom store in Clearwater sends me to iStore for help. iStore Clearwater sends me back to Telkom Mobile store for help.

Tried the Telkom mobile call centre and got a '...sorry, we don't know how to solve that...maybe there is a network problem. We'll get technical to call you...'

6 x calls to the call centre in 2 weeks and still nothing...

WTF?

Fail to understand how Telkom can sell the iPhone but one of its core features does not work on its network...?

Now what...?

 

[icyrus]

Do you have airtime loaded on the sim?

 

[Azimuth]

iMessage activation was a known problem with early iOS 7, as was FaceTime. Do you by any chance have < iOS 7.03?

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1691

 

[bwana]

Hi - any idea how to get iMessage activated on Telkom mobile with the Telkom mobile number?

Its a prepaid number.

I have put the sim in, switched phone on, went to activate iMessage and FaceTime, tells me that my carrier may charge to activate it.

I click ok and it keeps on saying 'waiting for activation'

I need it to activate on the Telkom Mobile number but it just keeps hanging with that message saying waiting for activation.

Tried in 3 x different iPhones - same error/activation message? Tried a Vodacom sim and Cell C sim in same iPhone and they both register iMessage perfectly.

Telkom store in Clearwater sends me to iStore for help. iStore Clearwater sends me back to Telkom Mobile store for help.

Tried the Telkom mobile call centre and got a '...sorry, we don't know how to solve that...maybe there is a network problem. We'll get technical to call you...'

6 x calls to the call centre in 2 weeks and still nothing...

WTF?

Fail to understand how Telkom can sell the iPhone but one of its core features does not work on its network...?

Now what...?

I've been experiencing the same problem. Now I just use my iCloud account details to send and receive iMessages.

Btw don't forget each time you try to activate it costs you airtime in the form of an SMS.

 

[bwana]

@OP - are you using a number ported from another network?

 

[RichardG]

New iOS update to address this matter 7.0.3 or was it for iFace.

 

[DemonSplicer]

Hi DemonSplicer

We've had no issues with iMessage. Can you PM us your contact details so that we can call you to assist?

Regards
Telkom Mobile

...going on 3 weeks now. PM'ed you two cellphone numbers to call me on... still not working (iOS 7.0.4) and still not called or PM'ed...

#EpicFail

 

[Azimuth]

Hmm, this is good to know since I wanted to buy 2 new iPhone 5S' through TM.

 

[kingrob]

Hmm, this is good to know since I wanted to buy 2 new iPhone 5S' through TM.

Dude...WTF?

Are you now threatening TM to take your business elsewhere, because Apple's crappy software does not want to work??

With so many messaging apps out there, and WhatsApp being used by everyone, it's like saying because the built-in calculator does not work, you're going to cancel the deal?

Well, then go for it, instead of getting 100 minutes and 5GB data for R529, get 60 minutes and 150 MB data for R569.

 

[bwana]

Hmm, this is good to know since I wanted to buy 2 new iPhone 5S' through TM.

It's easy to blame Telkom - because it is their fault - but there are still other ways to activate iMessage so don't despair.

 

[FireTelkom]

I have no problem with iMessage on my iPad or iPhone both on 7.0.3 - both working fine

 

[kingrob]

I have no problem with iMessage on my iPad or iPhone both on 7.0.3 - both working fine

Thank you for this, as Wirelesswarrior was just about to make a mistake he would be regretting for the next two years of his life.

 

[bwana]

I have no problem with iMessage on my iPad or iPhone both on 7.0.3 - both working fine

Wish I could say the same but after wasting the cost of yet another international SMS I again got the following.

 

[Azimuth]

Dude...WTF?

Are you now threatening TM to take your business elsewhere, because Apple's crappy software does not want to work??

With so many messaging apps out there, and WhatsApp being used by everyone, it's like saying because the built-in calculator does not work, you're going to cancel the deal?

Well, then go for it, instead of getting 100 minutes and 5GB data for R529, get 60 minutes and 150 MB data for R569.

Indeed I am. Those are fundamental services for Apple users and with TM selling iPhones, those services should all work 100%. It has nothing to do with "crappy software" and more to do with TM being the last SP to have negotiated the config files. Afrihost is a perfect alternative so no worries about data.

 

[Azimuth]

Thank you for this, as Wirelesswarrior was just about to make a mistake he would be regretting for the next two years of his life.

Not too serious as my iPhone 5 is a cash phone. I don't *have* to get a 5S but wouldn't mind having one for Touch ID and the new iSight camera (I'm a heavy user so the camera is a big feature for me).

Thing is, I use all the Apple services, not just one here and there. Broken iMessage or FaceTime is a broken Apple device to me. I've got a big network of Apple friends and family and we use those services daily. (iMessage trumps Whatsapp in speed and for basic messaging)

 

[kingrob]

Not too serious as my iPhone 5 is a cash phone. I don't *have* to get a 5S but wouldn't mind having one for Touch ID and the new iSight camera (I'm a heavy user so the camera is a big feature for me). Thing is, I use all the Apple services, not just one here and there. Broken iMessage or FaceTime is a broke Apple device to me. I've got a big network of Apple friends and family and we use those services daily. (iMessage trumps Whatsapp in speed and for basic messaging)

Ok, understand your reasoning.

I just feel you don't get a lot of value by buying phones cash, but if you don't want a contract and a two year commitment, I understand.

 

[Azimuth]

I really do want a TM deal for more than just the data - free TM to TM calls, unlimited SMS and auto-joining TM WiFi hotspots. As soon as the iMessage and FaceTime activations are resolved, I'll be there like a bear. (Also need to find out about mobile LTE coverage as that is a biggie for me when comparing to MTN)

 

[sajunky]

I need it to activate on the Telkom Mobile number but it just keeps hanging with that message saying waiting for activation. [...]
Telkom store in Clearwater sends me to iStore for help. iStore Clearwater sends me back to Telkom Mobile store for help.

TM can not help you with this. Apple reserve rights to activate phone to a particular carrier, it is Apple problem. For all other manufacturers phone is activated using GSM network services. With iPhone 4 you can't activate it at all, unless you have WiFi or iTune with independent Internet connection. This is a world of nonsense you are entering now, be aware...

 

[bwana]

TM can not help you with this. Apple reserve rights to activate phone to a particular carrier, it is Apple problem. For all other manufacturers phone is activated using GSM network services. With iPhone 4 you can't activate it at all, unless you have WiFi or iTune with independent Internet connection. This is a world of nonsense you are entering now, be aware...

Different kind of activation we're talking about here.