Mobile Broadband and Macintosh

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funkym

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Hi all.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I have many a customer who uses Apple Macintosh hardware who wish to use 3G (Vodacom, MTN and CellC). The reason I am posting here in the Vodacomis because up until now, Vodacom 3G is the only ISP I have had any experience with when it comes to 3G on the Apple Macintosh Platform (OSX). I have a customer who purchased a 3G card for use in their Wintel Laptop, then the laptopt was stolen and he decided to swicth to Apple. He called Vodacom and they simply said "No way". Our 3G Cards donot work on the Macintosh Platform. No "Let's see if we can sort something out", or "Let us try find someone who can help you". Just a simple "NO WAY!". Having heard this, I took it as a personal challenge. Got hold of his 3G card, stuck it in my Mac laptop, stuck the Vodafone Driver CD in that comes with the card, and low and behold, Macintosh applications and drivers on the disc. Install and surf. That simple.

It is really dismal how poorly they know their own product.

Know this Vodacom, I am not victimising you. I have simply only experienced the Vodacom 3G on Macintosh for now, I intend to test both MTN and CellC in the months to come and will slate them equally if I find the same issues.

Should anyone want to contact me to resolve 3G issues on their Apple Macs (Especially you Vodacom) simply PM me and I will teach you (Vodacom) about your own product.

Cheers
 
You should inform someone (not a callcentre operator) at Voda and let them know
 
funkym, [post=191287]Apple Mac OSX is a supported OS for Vodacom's 3G data cards[/post].

I think the issue, like you say, is that some of the call centre people are not aware of this fact.
 
funkym, 'this is not 'victimising' at all, rather you're giving constructive feedback and it's always appreciated. I'll alert the call center management. There are a large number (1000's) of call center operators. You can appreciate the challenge to get every up to speed on all products.

If you look on the Vodacom site: http://www.vodacom.co.za/packages/3g/datacards_novatel.jsp, You'll notice the Mac icon next to the software.
 
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Up's to Vodacom. Well done... now your callcentre people need to be retrained.

Hi all.

Thanks for the responses. This addition to the Vodacom site must be pretty recent as I was having plenty trouble finding this info around December 20th. The most troubling thing for me is the fact that I was told on the Phone "No Way", when the various callcentre people I spoke to (from entry level rep to technical team leader) actually did not know. It should have been an "Sorry, I am not too sure of the answer to that, Can I check it up for you and call you back?"

As always, the problem is not the product, but the people selling and supporting the product.

I will post feedback when I have tried the same thing out with my new MTN Phone (Ericsson w900i) when it arrives.

Cheers
 
funkym said:
...This addition to the Vodacom site must be pretty recent as I was having plenty trouble finding this info around December 20th...
Click to expand...
The Apple icon has been there for quite a bunch of months, although I'm sure there have been other updates to that page - that isn't a new addition :).

Mac OSX has been discussed in several threads in this forum - and I recall that at least one other forumite posted about being told by the call centre that Mac was not supported...
 
The real issue.

Hi again.

I would like to highlight my real issues.

1.) Paying through our teeth for, what is considered internationally, the most basic and essential form of communication of the modern era.
2.) Not having an alternative, other than not using this form of communication.
3.) And most importantly, paying these exhorbitent (Hope I did not butcher that word) fees that are not worth the paper the invoices are written, and not getting what we paying for. (knowledgeable service and support).

The attitude of "No way it will work" just does not suffice as a satisfactory answer for me especially paying what we do. One of the most expensive countries in the world should equal one of the most technologically advanced.

Oh well... today I felt like ranting and now I have.

Cheers
 
Great post that encapsulates all the frustration experienced by most Voda customers at some stage. The worst aspect of this encounter is that the Voda operator just blurted out some untrue nonsense without checking - potentially dangerous! It will also make customers check every bit of info given out so recklessly and use more of everyone's time.
 
Got hold of his 3G card, stuck it in my Mac laptop, stuck the Vodafone Driver CD in that comes with the card, and low and behold, Macintosh applications and drivers on the disc. Install and surf. That simple.
Click to expand...


Can well be that I'm too dumb. My iBook has no slot for a 3G card...
 
No slot?

Hi kkf.

To my knowledge (Model dependant) the iBook may not have a PCMCIA slot for a 3G card. The next problem is going to be with the new Macbooks and Macbook Pro's (Intel models) that sport the new PCMCIA 32 slot (About half the width of existing 16 cards). The rest of the world usually takes it's time in catching up with these new technologies implemented by top tech companies and that means at least 16 months before we see them here in South Africa.

Anyone remember Apple's first intro of USB and firewire and local distributors were like "USB WHAT?"

Cheers
 
Looking back

I have been in the US now for a little over 6 months. Looking back at some of my older posts.

Man, I had forgotten how angry I was in SA. I have not had bad, expensive service for only 6 months and already I have forgotten what it was like.

If what I was saying was not justified, I would be embarrassed by my ranting and raving.
 
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