Interesting Vodacom SMS with HSDPA

MidnightWizard

MidnightWizard

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Just tried out Ginggs new app and while running it noticed an alert for incoming SMS.

I thought that this was a bit strange as I had not yet connected ?

Anyway as there is no facility in the MDMA for reading an SMS I had to close it and started the DELL equivalent utility.

Wonder of wonder there were new SMS and I had not even connected :confused:

Did a quick test and seemed to be able to send an SMS without even being connected. Did another later test and received some more new SMS -- again without being connected

So the question is -- is there some sort of always on part of the 3G connection just like the bearer channel on ISDN :confused:

I have not done any definitive testing yet -- but if this is the case it might be quite nice :confused: No idea if these are being classed as "pay-traffic" or not :confused:

WELLlllllll IF this means lifetime free SMS then I am all for IT. I think that technically it should be possible. Perhaps I have an "open-sesame" NOVATEL :confused:

( OK OK constrain yourself now :cool: )


the WONDERING one
 
Think of your modem as a phone. After you enter your PIN number, it picks up the Vodacom Network, and you are able to send and receive SMS's like on a phone.

Now you connect and you're online. Think of your phone when you go online. Same thing. By the way, you do get billed for it. Normal SMS rates apply.
 
Iam3G said:
Think of your modem as a phone. After you enter your PIN number, it picks up the Vodacom Network, and you are able to send and receive SMS's like on a phone.
Now you connect and you're online. Think of your phone when you go online. Same thing. By the way, you do get billed for it. Normal SMS rates apply.
Click to expand...

OK thanks. So the "free" SMS you get apply then. I assume that if you SMS your top up voucher code this will get your airtime voucher activated ?

Could you explain in more detail how this works. What function / part of the network is active when an SMS is sent or received. What takes place when you "connect" to "go-online" The analogy I am thinking is ISDN :confused:

Getting back to the mobile -- can an MMS be sent in SMS mode :confused: I only have an OLD phone so am not up to speed with all the latest gadgetry, Not that I CAN send an MMS from the Laptop & why this should be is still a mystery to me.

We need Graham to get a nice mobile phone interface going with all the handheld functionality for these embedded devices. The "modem" is the connection device and the computer is the interface and application enabler.

MW
 
Like Iam3G said, think of your modem as a phone. It is Exactly like a phone minus the Speaker and Microphone. Can your phone receive a sms while you are not Connected to the Internet? Of course it can. When the phone is on, it is connected via GSM frequencies at all times to the cell towers and uses that to send/receive the sms/tower details etc etc. It works exactly the same as your modem there. Both of them has GSM&3G/HSDPA capabilities. Some modems even allows you to make calls via the computer like a real phone!

Do you understand better now?
 
MidnightWizard said:
OK thanks. So the "free" SMS you get apply then. I assume that if you SMS your top up voucher code this will get your airtime voucher activated ?

Could you explain in more detail how this works. What function / part of the network is active when an SMS is sent or received. What takes place when you "connect" to "go-online" The analogy I am thinking is ISDN :confused:

Getting back to the mobile -- can an MMS be sent in SMS mode :confused: I only have an OLD phone so am not up to speed with all the latest gadgetry, Not that I CAN send an MMS from the Laptop & why this should be is still a mystery to me.

We need Graham to get a nice mobile phone interface going with all the handheld functionality for these embedded devices. The "modem" is the connection device and the computer is the interface and application enabler.

MW
Click to expand...

The SMS (and voice) channels are separate from the data channel on your mobile device.

When you 'connect' to go online for data, you establish a GPRS or 3G connection. But the moment the mobile device is registered on the network (you see the signal level icon on your phone, for example), you're ready to make voice calls or use SMS.

If your phone supports GPRS, you can send a MMS from your PC if you use the correct software. I use NowSMS for this.
 
On the "EDGE"

vodacom3g said:
The SMS (and voice) channels are separate from the data channel on your mobile device.
When you 'connect' to go online for data, you establish a GPRS or 3G connection. But the moment the mobile device is registered on the network (you see the signal level icon on your phone, for example), you're ready to make voice calls or use SMS.
If your phone supports GPRS, you can send a MMS from your PC if you use the correct software. I use NowSMS for this.
Click to expand...

OK OK Many thanks. The Info is starting to come in now -- I will make sure to check that application NowSMS. Pity one cannot get it intgrated into the DELL Broadband Connection Manager -- or develop and program a whole new home-grown version. DELL have too much on their plate -- I am sure that they will not mind outsourcing it.

id13 said:
Both of them has GSM&3G/HSDPA capabilities. Some modems even allows you to make calls via the computer like a real phone!
Do you understand better now?
Click to expand...

Weeeellll If you could let me know HOW to get the Data AND VOICE working on my Laptop -- then YES I WOULD understand a lot better :D
( Please note I am NOT referring to SKYPE )

So if you can tell me how this works , how to set it up , and what I need , I would be a LOT happier.

the LEARNING one
 
Last edited:
MidnightWizard said:
OK OK Many thanks. The Info is starting to come in now -- I will make sure to check that application NowSMS. Pity one cannot get it intgrated into the DELL Broadband Connection Manager -- or develop and program a whole new home-grown version. DELL have too much on their plate -- I am sure that they will not mind outsourcing it.



Weeeellll If you could let me know HOW to get the Data AND VOICE working on my Laptop -- then YES I WOULD understand a lot better :D
( Please note I am NOT referring to SKYPE )

So if you can tell me how this works , how to set it up , and what I need , I would be a LOT happier.

the LEARNING one
Click to expand...

You'll need a special app on your desktop to enable you to make voice calls and send and receive SMS's. Not sure where you'll find a voice app.
 
if memory serves me , the falcon modem sftwr allows for a voice consol....alls youd need to then is write a script for your 3g module to utilise the falcon sftwr........have fun.....o if u get it wrkn post it online :)
 
Right when we launched 3G, there was a beta Video calling app floating around. Allowed you to make a video call (from your 3G data card) to a 3G handset. Also supported voice calls.

But it seemed to never have come out of beta.
 
vodacom3g said:
Right when we launched 3G, there was a beta Video calling app floating around. Allowed you to make a video call (from your 3G data card) to a 3G handset. Also supported voice calls.

But it seemed to never have come out of beta.
Click to expand...

Why don't some of our Vodacom Programmers make a useful tool out of it? It will only benefit Vodacom.
 
Can I recharge my account without the need to swap the Modem SIM into the cellphone?

Cause you need to go into *111# to purchase a bundle... havent tried this yet.
 
Keeper said:
Can I recharge my account without the need to swap the Modem SIM into the cellphone?

Cause you need to go into *111# to purchase a bundle... havent tried this yet.
Click to expand...

Do a Prepaid Transfer from your Internet Banking Account to the SIM in question. You should then get a confirmation SMS saying that you recharged it.

After that is done, open Vodafone SMS on the VMC/VMCLite dashboard, and send an SMS to 100 with the message "MyMeg X" (without the quotes).

(Where X is, is the bundle you want to purchase)

You should then get another SMS saying you bought the bundle.
 
Iam3G said:
Do a Prepaid Transfer from your Internet Banking Account to the SIM in question. You should then get a confirmation SMS saying that you recharged it.

After that is done, open Vodafone SMS on the VMC/VMCLite dashboard, and send an SMS to 100 with the message "MyMeg X" (without the quotes).

(Where X is, is the bundle you want to purchase)

You should then get another SMS saying you bought the bundle.
Click to expand...
Look this has probably been covered ad nauseam but I need to know, I have 2 gig data bundle and this month I will exceed my cap so the consequences are R1-20 per mb over my 2gb limit. Can I purchase a gig before the end of the month and top up so to speak?
 
Handy Software

Iam3G said:
Why don't some of our Vodacom Programmers make a useful tool out of it? It will only benefit Vodacom.[
Click to expand...

As you will notice from one of my other posts -- ERICSSON have decided to get into the embedded broadband business -- (they manufacture quite a lot of the cellular backbone equipment that the SA networks run on )

They are talking about a "dashboard" app that will come with the mini-express card. I have emailed them to see if I can get a beta to see what it looks like. There will also be an SDK. Who knows maybe THEIR programmers can do a better job than the DELL equivalent.

So perhaps / hopefully the future will bring great things for us embedded Data Laptop users ( Please note -- I do NOT work for 24Hr ETV and I am NOT embedded with the MARINES :D ) There is NO beach in ZIM to stand and wait for them :D

I see NO reason why with a Laptop with a built in WEBCAM you are not going to be able to do all sorts of different VIDEO WITH VOICE AND DATA -- all in their own windows -- you will even be able to get a Laptop with a TOUCHSCREEN.

( NOW if only I could find the secret recipe for getting on the " accepted" list for these BETA testing programs :confused: )


the SciFi Wizard.
 
PrePaid Activate SMS

Iam3G said:
Do a Prepaid Transfer from your Internet Banking Account to the SIM in question. You should then get a confirmation SMS saying that you recharged it.
(Where X is, is the bundle you want to purchase)
You should then get another SMS saying you bought the bundle.
Click to expand...

IF I understand correctly you can also SMS your prepaid activation code to the number supplied via a FREE SMS. ie if your data bundle has run out and you need to get some airtime on the SIM you can still send the activation code via SMS

When you get the confirmation of airtime you then follow the procedure as above to put your data bundle together (as explained in the previous post).

As V3G has explained you do NOT need to connect to the DATA netwotk to do this. Just start your connection app let it see the network ( without connecting) and send off your SMS.

OK ; -- now to go and try out all these things.


the "Crash-Test" Wizard
 
Data Prepaid top up Procedure

Iam3G said:
Do a Prepaid Transfer from your Internet Banking Account to the SIM in question. You should then get a confirmation SMS saying that you recharged it.
After that is done, open Vodafone SMS on the VMC/VMCLite dashboard, and send an SMS to 100 with the message "MyMeg X" (without the quotes).
(Where X is, is the bundle you want to purchase)
You should then get another SMS saying you bought the bundle.
Click to expand...

The Crash-Test Wizard reports as follows ...........

Tried TWO ways to top up today.

Went to ATM and did R100.00 transfer

Went to Vendor store and got a R110 top up voucher ( NO Discount today)

Came home and checked ........


When I switched on Laptop notice an SMS reflecting the R100.00 ATM top up

Tried to top up via SMS with top up voucher following instructions on the voucher till slip -- No Go do NOT Pass.

Phoned VERY helpful person at Vodacom help desk and got correct instructions.

In SMS client -- enter 100 as your dialng number in the "send' field. Enter Voucher code in the main body of the message -- SEND -- PASS GO :)

Little while later get SMS confirmation of top up. OK Great

Follow instructions here to purchase data bundle via SMS --OK ? NO ! -- NO Go

Apparently if the ammount of your credit is NOT EXACTLY what a data bundle should be then your SMS request is refused as being incorrect :confused:

I went to the 4ME Website logged in there and purchased the data bundle that I had tried to purchase via the SMS -- worked fine with some small balance left over.

OK stoopid me for not getting the sums EXACTLY right -- BUT this was a TEST.

Next time I will get the vendor voucher FIRST -- IF there is a discount -- & THEN balance the difference with the ATM.

But at least now I do NOT have to take the SIM card out of the Laptop.:p

Can someone confirm about the "MyMeg" SMS top up -- Bug OR Feature ;)


recycled Crash-Test Wizard
 
MidnightWizard said:
The Crash-Test Wizard reports as follows ...........

Tried TWO ways to top up today.

Went to ATM and did R100.00 transfer

Went to Vendor store and got a R110 top up voucher ( NO Discount today)

Came home and checked ........


When I switched on Laptop notice an SMS reflecting the R100.00 ATM top up

Tried to top up via SMS with top up voucher following instructions on the voucher till slip -- No Go do NOT Pass.

Phoned VERY helpful person at Vodacom help desk and got correct instructions.

In SMS client -- enter 100 as your dialng number in the "send' field. Enter Voucher code in the main body of the message -- SEND -- PASS GO :)

Little while later get SMS confirmation of top up. OK Great

Follow instructions here to purchase data bundle via SMS --OK ? NO ! -- NO Go

Apparently if the ammount of your credit is NOT EXACTLY what a data bundle should be then your SMS request is refused as being incorrect :confused:

I went to the 4ME Website logged in there and purchased the data bundle that I had tried to purchase via the SMS -- worked fine with some small balance left over.

OK stoopid me for not getting the sums EXACTLY right -- BUT this was a TEST.

Next time I will get the vendor voucher FIRST -- IF there is a discount -- & THEN balance the difference with the ATM.

But at least now I do NOT have to take the SIM card out of the Laptop.:p

Can someone confirm about the "MyMeg" SMS top up -- Bug OR Feature ;)


recycled Crash-Test Wizard
Click to expand...

Works perfectly everytime. You need to have the exact, or at least more of the amount of airtime to purchase the bundle.

For example, you want to buy a 500 Meg Data Bundle. You load exactly R189's worth of airtime on the SIM, or more.

You then SMS the work "My Meg 500" (without the quotes) to 100.

I've never had a problem with this.
 
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