Internet access stops after < R1...

[SUPERMAN89]

I was just thinking since we can air our views on Vodacom services
Why does INTERNET access seem to stop after your airtime is less than R1 only on Vodacom

In many cases I myself forgetting how much I have until the Internet stops working and cant even go on the net to buy airtime (after all mobi sites ant that big! ) and its kinda hectic when all the shops are closed and you'd seem mad going to garage for airtime.

Get the point...

I think Vodacom should at lest stop Internet just like phone calls WHEN THE AIRTIME HAS RUN OUT

 

[Sackboy]

I was wondering when someone was going to bring this up. It isn't just vodacom either. I know the system doesn't allow you to connect without a minimum of credit, but to stop before it's run out is crazy.

 

[vodacom3g]

I was just thinking since we can air our views on Vodacom services
Why does INTERNET access seem to stop after your airtime is less than R1 only on Vodacom

In many cases I myself forgetting how much I have until the Internet stops working and cant even go on the net to buy airtime (after all mobi sites ant that big! ) and its kinda hectic when all the shops are closed and you'd seem mad going to garage for airtime.

Get the point...

I think Vodacom should at lest stop Internet just like phone calls WHEN THE AIRTIME HAS RUN OUT

It's a function of how the pre-paid billing engine works. You must have more than a R1 to connect. And, to be honest, making it zero (which the system can't) is not going to solve the problem as you'll hit zero in the same way you're hitting R1 now, i.e. you'll still be browsing and you'll run out of money and be disconnected.

We're investigating a system that will automatically redirect you to an on-line purchase site when you run out of money. Think it's going to be part of the new 4me.

In the mean-time, why don't you recharge earlier? You can recharge within the last 20% or 10M of your bundle. Or are you running OOB?

 

[morkhans]

It's most likely due to the way the realtime billing system works. IIRC: It tries to gauge your usage and deducts small parts of your bundle in advance so when you get down to your last few cents, your airtime balance according to the billing system is 0 and your internet dies. When the disconnect occurs some of that data that was deducted in advance will get billed back to your account so you'll sit with a few cents. I guess those few cents then are not enough for the engine to allocate anything in advance so you won't be able to connect

 

[morkhans]

We're investigating a system that will automatically redirect you to an on-line purchase site when you run out of money. Think it's going to be part of the new 4me.

That will be cool, maybe include the banking sites as well so people can purchase air-time there as well.

 

[vodacom3g]

That will be cool, maybe include the banking sites as well so people can purchase air-time there as well.

It's the idea.

 

[SUPERMAN89]

It's a function of how the pre-paid billing engine works. You must have more than a R1 to connect. And, to be honest, making it zero (which the system can't) is not going to solve the problem as you'll hit zero in the same way you're hitting R1 now, i.e. you'll still be browsing and you'll run out of money and be disconnected.

We're investigating a system that will automatically redirect you to an on-line purchase site when you run out of money. Think it's going to be part of the new 4me.

In the mean-time, why don't you recharge earlier? You can recharge within the last 20% or 10M of your bundle. Or are you running OOB?

OOB for now,Recharge earlier is the answer i knw thou its those extra few cents that count...looking around the other networks virgin/cell c redirect users to a page when you hit bottom, mtn does the same as voda but just wen u hit zero ...but the idea of going to a rechange page sounds good rather than the sms u get with the internet apn...just that you still are going to be taxed going to the banking site...i.e why put a block when u can access the banking site and b taxed after u reached less than r1 mark...unless vodacom is going to grant free access which i personal think will put a hole in vodacom's pocket

My answer: redirect users to the top up page once their airtime hits the R1.25 mark.With the message your airtime will soon run out please rechange or top up via the following links.

Not only is this better than other network's way of telling you that u have run dry,its a friendly way also and thats what making money is all about making the customer happy....lol

 

[vodacom3g]

OOB for now,Recharge earlier is the answer i knw thou its those extra few cents that count...looking around the other networks virgin/cell c redirect users to a page when you hit bottom, mtn does the same as voda but just wen u hit zero ...but the idea of going to a rechange page sounds good rather than the sms u get with the internet apn...just that you still are going to be taxed going to the banking site...i.e why put a block when u can access the banking site and b taxed after u reached less than r1 mark...unless vodacom is going to grant free access which i personal think will put a hole in vodacom's pocket

My answer: redirect users to the top up page once their airtime hits the R1.25 mark.With the message your airtime will soon run out please rechange or top up via the following links.

Not only is this better than other network's way of telling you that u have run dry,its a friendly way also and thats what making money is all about making the customer happy....lol

We're thinking along similar lines.

 

[ld13]

My answer: redirect users to the top up page once their airtime hits the R1.25 mark.With the message your airtime will soon run out please rechange or top up via the following links.

Not only is this better than other network's way of telling you that u have run dry,its a friendly way also and thats what making money is all about making the customer happy....lol

Redirecting my download at 99% when I still have R1.25 left is going to make Vodacom have 1 less happy customer ...

 

[vodacom3g]

Redirecting my download at 99% when I still have R1.25 left is going to make Vodacom have 1 less happy customer ...

As with all solutions, there will be people thinking any specific idea is great and others that would disagree. Thus we always need to consider all aspects before launching a new product. And then you'll still get one or two disgruntled people kicking up a fuss even though the majority are happy.

In this case, probably the best is to let you run completely out of data (but send warnings to the effect beforehand), and then once you've disconnected and reconnect, you get redirected to a web site where you can recharge.

So basically the rule would read; "If you connect and you have no balance in your account, you get redirected to a page where you can recharge".

You can then recharge, buy a bundle and carry on browsing.

 

[internaut]

...or just add an unlimited bundle option for under 1grand...problem solved...

 

[vodacom3g]

...or just add an unlimited bundle option for under 1grand...problem solved...

I suspect the people who are running OOB and have the recharge at R0 issue on pre-paid won't be buying R1K/month bundles.

But there are ways to make it easier for people. The easter bunny is normally good at getting new ideas and concepts into the market.

 

[internaut]

I suspect the people who are running OOB and have the recharge at R0 issue on pre-paid won't be buying R1K/month bundles.

Hmmmm, I suppose...

But there are ways to make it easier for people. The easter bunny is normally good at getting new ideas and concepts into the market.

Like unlimited bundle but only between 12AM and 6AM ? Just throwing some ideas around.

 

[Nicci]

I have a Vodacom 3G sim card, but cant browse the internet with my iphone. Do I need to take it in to activate the sim card or how does it work? Thank you for letting me know.

 

[vodacom3g]

I have a Vodacom 3G sim card, but cant browse the internet with my iphone. Do I need to take it in to activate the sim card or how does it work? Thank you for letting me know.

Phone 155 and ask them to check if the SIM has been 'provisioned' for the Apple APN and how to enter it on your phone.

Then if you have money on the SIM, you should be fine.

 

[Nicci]

Phone 155 and ask them to check if the SIM has been 'provisioned' for the Apple APN and how to enter it on your phone.

Then if you have money on the SIM, you should be fine.

Thank you so much Vodacom3g Ill do that immediately! As always you have been very helpful. Have a great day!

 

[ld13]

Feeding the troll...

In this case, probably the best is to let you run completely out of data (but send warnings to the effect beforehand), and then once you've disconnected and reconnect, you get redirected to a web site where you can recharge.

So basically the rule would read; "If you connect and you have no balance in your account, you get redirected to a page where you can recharge".

That would be perfect...for me. Some other people will always have problems with everything though.

Ignoring more name calling, does it go to charity or in the company's pocket??

Why not be like Woolworths, where they have to give you R5.92 change, but round it up to R5.95?

So much to say. So little time. Summary: LOL

You have a problem with a service provider taking your credit (that is already in their pocket mind you) as per the contractual agreement after you agreed to said agreement and signed up with the service provider, but then went and broke the agreement and is now throwing your toys out of the cot because the service provider is following the contract as agreed upon? That is absurd.

You should try that one with Virgin. There you might actually have a better chance of winning. eg I have a R10 balance left with them on my SIM at the moment. As per the agreement I have been using it for making at least one phonecall/sms/whatever in the amount of time required by them. But they don't seem to care. My expiry date is still 29.03.2009 - should be 12.06.2009 or something by now imo. Now should the 29th come and my airtime is gone - then I'll be throwing by toys at everyone, but not till then.

See what I mean?

Yep.