Missing data / bundle inexplicably used up

[aalwees]

I'm just fishing for anyone else out there who might have a similar experience to this:
My 8ta account tells me my data is about to run out but my Huawei statistics tell me I still have about 600Mb.

I have never before had a significant disparity between my Huawei log and my 8ta account log and can't understand how this could happen.

Trying to talk to 8ta about it was a joke. The call centre agent simply pointed me to this:
"Your device may be running background applications, which are not zero rated and thus consume data. This may lead to a reduced airtime balance compared to your redeemed airtime value."
He could not explain to me what zero-rated data referred to in this context or how so much data could enter or leave my machine through the Huawei without being logged by the Huawei. Using the 8ta site is zero-rated and that is easy to understand but if anything, it should mean that, having used the 8ta site, I have a little more data left in my bundle than the Huawei tells me.

 

[encrypted]

If you had any idea how that **** works you would just throw your hands in the air and go "oh well"

But ask for a full session report for the month. That will show their stats. It will be the indisputable report with the correct usage, if the software doesn't agree with it then maybe the software had a bug, lost some usage. A report would also help you correlate usage on days vs the software.

 

[guest2013-1]

go
in
to
a
branch

call centers and forums are useless for this type of an issue

 

[Mr Big T]

I have used used Vodacom, MTN, 8TA and Cell C 3G in the last year. The only effective and accurate way to check the balance is to physically remove the sim card put it in another phone and take a reading by dialing the appropriate number. The dashboard on your screen or anything else is not accurate. I have used 3G for many years.

 

[aalwees]

Good idea to get a report. Thanks.

In my experience, the branch people are no smarter than the call centre agents. The only difference is the branch people have to look you in the eye. Sometimes you get lucky and get a sussed young person. It can also help to say good bye and try again in the hope of getting a different agent.

 

[aalwees]

Thanks T, I'll try the sim card thing.
In your experience, have you ever had such a big disparity - like 600Mb?

 

[Brown Fox]

I have used used Vodacom, MTN, 8TA and Cell C 3G in the last year. The only effective and accurate way to check the balance is to physically remove the sim card put it in another phone and take a reading by dialing the appropriate number. The dashboard on your screen or anything else is not accurate. I have used 3G for many years.

You can just use the software to sms MM to 31050 for Vodacom.

 

[keill]

Also had a problem with my 500mb contract bundle being depleted ridiculously faster than my phone states - got an sms to that effect - and I'm pretty careful myself.
Contacted vodacom last week - they haven't even recognised a query yet.

 

[aalwees]

You can log onto the 8ta site to get your balance according 8ta. But my issue is that there is such a huge disparity between 8ta and my Huawei log - 600Mb! That's about 6% of monthly allocation. I've never had a discrepancy of more than a few Meg.

 

[Brown Fox]

You can log onto the 8ta site to get your balance according 8ta. But my issue is that there is such a huge disparity between 8ta and my Huawei log - 600Mb! That's about 6% of monthly allocation. I've never had a discrepancy of more than a few Meg.

Did you not use your 3g card with another Laptop/PC ?
The usage is only accurate if only used on the same machine.

 

[aalwees]

The stock answer I get from 8ta is that the Huawei log is not always accurate. I tell them that I know that it is not always accurate when I phone to ask about it but that I have never had it so vastly inaccurate before and could they explain to me how it could be so badly out - 600Mb - but still they just reply with the stock answer.

I wonder if 8ta responds to Hello Peter complaints ...

 

[aalwees]

No, the modem and card is used with only one machine and I always log in via the Huawei control.

 

[Mr Big T]

I have had rather big discrepancies but cant remember if it was as big as 600 MB. I have since then pull the sim card out on a wednesday and sunday evening to check. It is a lot quicker that hanging on for a call centre agent.

Companies have found a way to respond on the Hello Peter website quickly to make it look like they are a company that respond and they never contact you. Have lost faith in the effectiveness of Hello Peter.

 

[Telkom]

I'm just fishing for anyone else out there who might have a similar experience to this:
My 8ta account tells me my data is about to run out but my Huawei statistics tell me I still have about 600Mb.

I have never before had a significant disparity between my Huawei log and my 8ta account log and can't understand how this could happen.

Trying to talk to 8ta about it was a joke. The call centre agent simply pointed me to this:
"Your device may be running background applications, which are not zero rated and thus consume data. This may lead to a reduced airtime balance compared to your redeemed airtime value."
He could not explain to me what zero-rated data referred to in this context or how so much data could enter or leave my machine through the Huawei without being logged by the Huawei. Using the 8ta site is zero-rated and that is easy to understand but if anything, it should mean that, having used the 8ta site, I have a little more data left in my bundle than the Huawei tells me.

Hi aalwees

Unfortunately the software on the device is not very accurate.

We do advise you to use the On network feature (navigate to http://www.8ta.com/ and click on Self Service Login. Then click On network).
You can also use the USSD feature (Dial *188#; also available via on the 8ta Connect).

Thank you
8ta

 

[sajunky]

That's about 6% of monthly allocation. I've never had a discrepancy of more than a few Meg.

You are correct. Background application cannot bypass modem statistics. However 6% difference is possible. Here are possible cases:
1. Lost packets. Modem sees its own story, tower a different one. However 6% difference is possible only on very poor connection. If you are able to use 10GB/pm, then no more than 2% is expected.
2. When modem hangs during the session, then its internal statistics are lost. Dashboard is monitoring real time and it should save statistics on the disk. MDMA does it correctly, not sure about Mobile Partner.
3. Power cuts during open session (remember - storm season), or a habit of shutting down computer without closing session. Modem statistics are lost. It can make a hudge difference.
4. Using SIM card in other devices (as you said not in your case), dialing RAS manually, or alternating dashboards.

 

[aalwees]

sajunky, thank you so much for your response! This is very helpful. I actually feel better, after having gotten myself into a bad mood over *ta's awful, deaf responses here and via HelloPeter. As I sit here looking at your response, and above it the view of my garden I am struck by how beautiful the intelligent, informed, responsive mind can be.

I don't have the habit of shutting down or hibernating without disconnecting the modem, but I certainly do have very bad service from 8ta. When I first got 8ta, at the beginning of the year, my signal strength was good and I got acceptable speeds but it has steadily deteriorated to a point where it now constantly bombs. I've done some reading up after your response and this does seem a likely explanation.

So, basically 8ta is providing a deteriorating service and effectively making me pay for the deterioration.

I'll also get my hands on MDMA. Thanks for the recommendation.