Mobile Connect Lite Usage

Guys sorry if this has been answered, is the best way to check the usage by going online? My sister got lumbered by Vodacom and they now tell us that the monitor does not even work. Nice of them to tell us that in the beginning.
 
apparently the best way is to get an itemised bill. You can do that online, just make sure to have a kb to mb to gb converter ready.

like zis: http://egret.net/kb__mb.htm

Seriously, how is it not unethical to not tell your customers that the little blue line they see in their USAGE bit of the dashboard actually doesn't tell you how much you're using?

Also, why was the sms functionality left out of the Lite version of the software? No alerts for going over your cap simply because the provider conveniently left it out of the already-broken dashboard.

:P
 
@marine1: [thread=19530]FAQ - Read This First: Vodacom Data,3G,HSDPA,EDGE,etc...[/thread]
 
marine1 said:
Guys sorry if this has been answered, is the best way to check the usage by going online? My sister got lumbered by Vodacom and they now tell us that the monitor does not even work. Nice of them to tell us that in the beginning.
Click to expand...

There are a few places where the info is made available:

- Information leaflet in the shops - who is your service provider?
- Included with the software
- Latest versions of the software actually pops it up during install - what version are you running?
- In your first mail bill
 
vodacom3g said:
There are a few places where the info is made available:

- Information leaflet in the shops - who is your service provider?
- Included with the software
- Latest versions of the software actually pops it up during install - what version are you running?
- In your first mail bill
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for the reply.
-Got the unit from Woodmead and they NEVER said anything about it.
-Used the software on the unit - was told to do that.
-It does pop up when inserted.
Bottom line is that it was never told to the customer. This is both unethical behaviour and it says something for the product they are selling if it does not function properly.
 
It would have been better, if Vodafone had never included a data usage counter in any of its software versions, having said that I have never used any version of [searchforum]"VMC-Lite"[/searchforum], but I seriously doubt that Vodacom would say that the VMC-Lite data usage counter does not work at all, Vodacom is more likely to say that one should monitor one's usage using either www.vodacom4me.co.za or sending an SMS to retrieve one's balance or the USSD menu. The VMC-Lite usage counter should only be used for comparison purposes, but always refer to one of the other methods that gets the actual usage as recorded by Vodacom's systems, which VMC-Lite does not do.
 
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They told her on the phone last night that the usage meter does not function "AT ALL" and that she must check online, a bit late seeing that she has already been using it for a month.
 
@ic. This subject has now been discussed over and over. Is there not and easy way that you can merge all these posts into one large thread.

I still don't believe that there are any warning or info sheets packed with the modems or given to the customers on day of purchase. Every post I read from the advice givers points to the enduser being the bad person for not doing the one or the other thing. The blame should fall staight back into the hands of the reseller/Vodacom. Again I want to say this, Block from day 1, so there will not be this first month blues and bitching. The user can then by dialling 155, mail customercare or via vodacom4me set his warning or block limit at his own time.
 
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Csnoopy said:
@ic. This subject has now been discussed over and over. Is there not and easy way that you can merge all these posts into one large thread.

I still don't believe that there are any warning or info sheets packed with the modems or given to the customers on day of purchase. Every post I read from the advice givers points to the enduser being the bad person for not doing the one or the other thing. The blame should fall staight back into the hands of the reseller/Vodacom. Again I want to say this, Block from day 1, so there will not be this first month blues and bitching. The user can then by dialling 155, mail customercare or via vodacom4me set his warning or block limit at his own time.
Click to expand...
Don't know which threads you want me to merge together, maybe p.m. me with links to related threads about the exact same subject, and I will have a look at whether they can be merged into a single thread.

What I have noticed, is that there seem to be a lot more forumites using Huawei E220 USB modems compared to forumites using Data Card [PCMCIA and lately PCI Express] modems, @v3g can you confirm this from the supply & distribution end? The reason I mention this, is that the first release of VMC-Lite that came with the E220 modems, did not have SMS functionality, and since Data Usage Notifications are currently sent to the SIM Card associated with one's data bundle, it means that data bundle subscribers are obviously not able to receive those Data Usage SMSes unless they upgrade to a more recent version of VMC-Lite, which is obviously a big problem for both customers and Vodacom.

What I suggest, as a matter of urgency, is that Vodacom's Data Helpdesk IVR system [155], should have a recorded message stating that:
  1. data customers should keep track of their data usage using www.vodacom4me.co.za and
  2. there is a newer software version available for the E220 USB HSDPA modem - perhaps a separate option to press to get more info about where or how to upgrade.
I also suggest that Vodacom puts a similar message onto the tax invoices sent out to all subscribers that obtained an E220 on contract.
 
ic said:
Don't know which threads you want me to merge together, maybe p.m. me with links to related threads about the exact same subject, and I will have a look at whether they can be merged into a single thread.

What I have noticed, is that there seem to be a lot more forumites using Huawei E220 USB modems compared to forumites using Data Card [PCMCIA and lately PCI Express] modems, @v3g can you confirm this from the supply & distribution end? The reason I mention this, is that the first release of VMC-Lite that came with the E220 modems, did not have SMS functionality, and since Data Usage Notifications are currently sent to the SIM Card associated with one's data bundle, it means that data bundle subscribers are obviously not able to receive those Data Usage SMSes unless they upgrade to a more recent version of VMC-Lite, which is obviously a big problem for both customers and Vodacom.

What I suggest, as a matter of urgency, is that Vodacom's Data Helpdesk IVR system [155], should have a recorded message stating that:
  1. data customers should keep track of their data usage using www.vodacom4me.co.za and
  2. there is a newer software version available for the E220 USB HSDPA modem - perhaps a separate option to press to get more info about where or how to upgrade.
I also suggest that Vodacom puts a similar message onto the tax invoices sent out to all subscribers that obtained an E220 on contract.
Click to expand...

I will have a look & let you know.

The above said are good ideas to get the latest software for E220 modems but it is to late to prevent the major pitfall of all, (OOB). v3g did in the past say that he was going to find out from distribution what kind of documents go out with the modems. @v3g. Did you ever get any feedback on this?

@v3g What is or has Vodacom done about preventing this first time bad experience. I believe there is a whole lot more of this occuring than we know of.

@Iam3g. What information is given to a customer that buys a data modem etc? Via the Vodashops.


:confused:
 
Useage Counter Disclaimer

There is a useage counter in the sofware BUT
Usage Counter Disclaimer

The software accompanying the Vodafone 3G Broadband Mobile Connect Card and Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem includes a usage counter, aimed at giving an indication of the mobile data (in MB) that you’ve transmitted.

Please note that the usage counter gives as accurate a reflection of data usage as possible, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. It should be seen as being indicative of total use during a given period only.

There are a number of occurrences and factors that could influence the accuracy of the data usage counter. These include but are not limited to:

The user manually resets the usage counters in the software
The user reinstalls the software at any point after initial usage
The user takes the card, insert it into another laptop and installs the software
The user uses the VMCC and software on multiple laptops or devices
The user connects via any means other than the 'Connect' button on the Vodafone dashboard
The user closes their laptop (closing screen) without pressing 'Disconnect' on the Vodafone dashboard
The user exits the Vodafone dashboard by clicking on the 'X' button
The user disconnects in any way other than using the 'Disconnect' button on the Vodafone dashboard
The user removes the SIM card from the VMCC and uses the SIM card in another device for mobile data access
Vodacom will not accept any responsibility or liability for inaccurate indications of data usage on the Vodafone dashboard and any possible discrepancies between the usage counter and actual data usage that the customer may be billed for.
 
Csnoopy said:
http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/mobile_data/downloads.jsp

What protection is there for the customer ???

:cool:
Click to expand...
Well you can use a local data usage monitoring application, like Bandwidth Meter, Net Meter, and various others, but you should really be looking at what your data usage is at www.vodacom4me.co.za.

@v3g, v4me isn't mentioned anywhere on that page for monitoring data usage - IMO there should be prominent wording like 'Please use www.vodacom4me.co.za to monitor your data usage, and ensure that your modem has the latest software installed to receive data usage SMSes'...
 
ic said:
Well you can use a local data usage monitoring application, like Bandwidth Meter, Net Meter, and various others, but you should really be looking at what your data usage is at www.vodacom4me.co.za.

@v3g, v4me isn't mentioned anywhere on that page for monitoring data usage - IMO there should be prominent wording like 'Please use www.vodacom4me.co.za to monitor your data usage, and ensure that your modem has the latest software installed to receive data usage SMSes'...
Click to expand...

Doing so allready. (Utils + vc4me). Due to advice from the Forum but for the general user? It is just not right. Does Vodacom really care ! ? Then show it !. We all know v3g is doing the best he can.
 
The new Mobile Partner Software has got a very nifty statistics/usage monitor and it seems like its pretty accurate. I suggested all E220 users upgrade to this version.
 
Iam3G said:
The new Mobile Partner Software has got a very nifty statistics/usage monitor and it seems like its pretty accurate. I suggested all E220 users upgrade to this version.
Click to expand...

From a shop point of view have you looked at your current new stock, what version of VMC-Lite is being shipped with the E220 Modems?? :)



:cool:
 
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Csnoopy said:
From a shop point of view have looked at your current new stock, what version of VMC-Lite is being shipped with the E220 Modems?? :)



:cool:
Click to expand...

The stock we have here and the stock we get(and have gotten for the last month or 3) all have VMCLite version 1.x.x.x. The only difference it has is that the new stock are already Vista ready(firmware update already done). Sometimes i get a bit frustrated becoz i get customers who called 155 with a problem, and 155 telling them to get the firmware upgraded... shouldnt they know that its already Vista Capable?? Dedicated Data Call Centre means nothing if the people who work their dont know anything :confused:

What i then do is i upgrade the customers who purchase new modems to Mobile Partner.

P.S. 155 doesnt even know about Mobile Partner either
 
Iam3G said:
The stock we have here and the stock we get(and have gotten for the last month or 3) all have VMCLite version 1.x.x.x. The only difference it has is that the new stock are already Vista ready(firmware update already done). Sometimes i get a bit frustrated becoz i get customers who called 155 with a problem, and 155 telling them to get the firmware upgraded... shouldnt they know that its already Vista Capable?? Dedicated Data Call Centre means nothing if the people who work their dont know anything :confused:

What i then do is i upgrade the customers who purchase new modems to Mobile Partner.

P.S. 155 doesnt even know about Mobile Partner either
Click to expand...

They are not meant to know about HMP they will only support there so called own products which is VMC-Lite http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/mobile_data/downloads.jsp

:cool:
 
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