Mobile data users losing out

[TimTDP]

The statement "The fact that out-of-bundle data rates are significantly higher than in-bundle rates means that mobile broadband users must be very careful about exceeding their monthly usage limit." is fundamentally incorrect.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised! We give significant discounts to our bundle users because they commit to larger, regular, and predictable usage which is much more attractive to us than infrequent and unpredictable usage. This allows us to do demand planning far more accurately as our total usage becomes more predictable.

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

a response from a typical brain washed corporate!

 

[Chevron]

The statement "The fact that out-of-bundle data rates are significantly higher than in-bundle rates means that mobile broadband users must be very careful about exceeding their monthly usage limit." is fundamentally incorrect.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised! We give significant discounts to our bundle users because they commit to larger, regular, and predictable usage which is much more attractive to us than infrequent and unpredictable usage. This allows us to do demand planning far more accurately as our total usage becomes more predictable.

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

Well since you are monitoring this thread I've got question for you.

Why the hell does not mtn allow someone to purchase more than 1 data bundle a month?

What if a persons usage is between on of the data bundles you guys offer? Allowing someone to buy two smaller bundles would only make sense.

Or is that too reasonable?

 

[Getafix]

The statement "The fact that out-of-bundle data rates are significantly higher than in-bundle rates means that mobile broadband users must be very careful about exceeding their monthly usage limit." is fundamentally incorrect.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised! We give significant discounts to our bundle users because they commit to larger, regular, and predictable usage which is much more attractive to us than infrequent and unpredictable usage. This allows us to do demand planning far more accurately as our total usage becomes more predictable.

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

Fine answer.

Now short and sweet: Why not have roll over?

 

[Chevron]

Get more pre-paid sims

While a good idea it means I can't get smss or phone calls. Why should I have to change sims anyway? It's daft to think that a solution like this is actually necessary.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised!

If the bundle rates can drop, why not the out of bundle?

And while you say using bundles makes usage prediction easier why not allow someone to purchase multiple bundles in the same month?

Or if you allowed data roll over we could just buy the next up size of bundle.

 

[zamicro]

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

If this is true, you must seriously look at cutting cost...

 

[stoke]

OMW, I am loving this thread. Nice to see this kind of a response from the customers.

I will be avoiding using Voda Mobile Data like the plague because the user interfaces available are confusing, unclear and downright dangerous to use.

An slightly-informed contract user could end up having to sell their house pay a data bill that was the result of a sneaky virus that consumed 3GB of out-of-bundle mobile data.

I cannot comment on MTN's interface features, but, by the sound of it, it's just as confusing.

Do either of these providers even provide a down-loadable document on EXACTLY how their confusing data products work? I mean, surely this is easy enough to generate.

 

[eaglebeaver]

You can buy as many as you like.

Correct , you just have to finish the bundle you on first. - so let it run dry - then top up then buy bundle.

 

[VC-1]

Couple of very valid points. The question that remains unanswered is why they do not allow roll over. That will be the right thing to do except if it is their goal to exploit their customers.

It should be remembered that the profits made from customers are there to keep the “share holders” and “Franchisees” happy NOT TO PANDER TO THE CUSTOMERS WISHES (Only in the RSA), no wonder all other foreign networks all want a piece of the RSA pie.

The recent delaying tactic of Vodacom in delay of ICASA Regs regarding “Handset Subsidise etc. is one of the many ways operators look after their share holders and Franchisees.

The often forgotten facts about the mysteries’ of the “Network” operators:-

1. They have become the “Wholesaler and Retailer” between them and the “Manufacturer” of Handsets and Modems. Vodacom call it “Trade Partner”.
2. These “Operator” shops in malls are mere “franchisee” only paying a minimal “Shop Rent” on a sliding scale for 5 years.
3. All contracts etc. are not transparent with default clauses in favour of the network operator and none for the customer.

The present system desperately needs to changed to a good balance in favour of service/transparency to the end user. It is rumoured that the Competition Commission is busy with an investigation in to the mobile operators.

In the final analyses of this “Smoke and Mirror” game it is an necessary evil we cannot survive without.

 

[diabolus]

Nice article open some sore wounds...these issues are coming a long way and i don't think the cell operators are doing enough [deliberately].

I have a 2GB Data -Contract- with MTN and also use Vodacom Prepaid [another 1GB additionally, depending on a month]. So here's why i won't renew my contract next year:

1. No warning that i'm exceeding my bundle.

Even Vodacom's "delayed" SMS solution is 10 times better than nothing. A 2GB bundle is R400, i've been hit with an additional R400+ numerous times because i did not realise i'm out of bundle and was given no opportunity to do anything about it.

2. No real time usage reports or any functionality to easily check usage for CONTRACT
users.

I can't even check properly via dashboard [website is slow [mtnactive], "under maintainenance" quite often and the placing of the bundle usage is NOT easily reachable] . Also it's extremely unfriendly, go look at what you're actually showing to the customer under "unbilled" , it's acronyms galore and confusing to say the least.

Go look at Vodacom4me for some tips on how to display usage and giving the user actually some ability to manage their bundles.

3. No ability to buy additional data bundles [aka "commit to higher bandwidth"] if i DO go over and DO somehow realise it in time.

The ONLY freaking way i can get around this is to use Vodacom here. I initially used MTN prepaid for this, but it turns out Vodacom prepaid is already miles ahead here too. So basically MTN is loosing out on R200+ from me, because they do not allow me to "replenish" my -CONTRACT- within 30 days if i use up my bundle.

Just FYI : Vodacom prepaid allows you to purchase a new bundle the moment an existing bundle depletes...you do NOT have to wait 30 days to expire. So you can to an extend avoid the "rollover effect" by buying smaller bundles which you will use up within 30 days 100% of the time and then "topping up" with another bundle as the need arise [this action also -resets- the 30 day counter!]. Only way you can 'simulate' this on MTN is to have a drawer full of MTN prepaid sims which you continuously have to swop.

4. The whole "suspend account" credit limit thing is a load of bollocks to use as a means to ensure your account is "capped" . MTNs billing/invoicing is mind boggling and it's just impossible to accurately use this as billing and invoicing occurs on totally different dates resulting in a -TWO- month overlap [yes, your previous months bill ends up being calculated into your current months' usage...and you get suspended during the 'overlap' period.] .End Result? I need a R2k-R3k limit on my account to 'survive' through the overlap period, yet i do not actually want a R2k bill in a single month.


I'm not sure what Vodacom Contract offers, but i expect much of the same problems in terms of 'real time' monitoring. However i do believe you can at least buy "ad hoc' bundles to "get through the month" if need be. MTN offers -zilch-, you will go out-of-bundle and you will get shafted for doing so.


NOTE: The only suggested route i can recommend after having data contracts on both MTN and Vodacom , plus combining prepaid on both in the same periods , is to NOT go the data contract route. If you can get the modem cash, do so. Prepaid on both MTN and Vodacom has much more functionality and flexibility than any data contract they can offer [ironically] . I can 'cap' myself and you get real time usage reports, and you can even 'top up' via various mechanisms [mtn being the slacker here, but still possible] .

Prepaid is the way to go right now.

 

[Rouxenator]

I had this problem with MTN.
Took out a 2gig data bundle = end of the month i got a R3000 + phone bill!! Thought I had been reckless so started monitoring my usage, resetting the counters, even calling the helpdesk, etc

This continued for a few months, excessive phone bills and yet when I checked my balance with MTN i ALWAYS had available bandwidth.

Eg. Balance due = R2800, 1,200 MB remaining out of 2gigs.

When I went through to MTN headoffice to enquire and basically get my money back, they had a slick, fast-talking salesman make ME look like an idiot. I walked out there even more confused than ever. Their records of data are not shown in a way that the average user like myself can understand - the breakdown was not in megabytes used but rather in 'usage codes' 145 654 7865 = 1,2Mb or something daft like that!

My solution: I cancelled my data bundle altogether and just got a decent internet connection where I can monitor the bandwidth and where pricing is TRANSPARENT!!!

MTN has been my worst experience since I subscribed. As soon as my contract ends, wil never use them again. I have been ripped off thousands of rands, MTN has their book and records nicely fixed so any questioning of billing is out of the question.

I had the same problem - then I moved to Wou da kom prepaid which was much better than the eMpTy eeN - alas I now have Amobia and it is way better except it also does not offer roll-over... At least they only charge R90 per GB.

 

[louwtjiedt]

Just FYI : Vodacom prepaid allows you to purchase a new bundle the moment an existing bundle depletes...you do NOT have to wait 30 days to expire. So you can to an extend avoid the "rollover effect" by buying smaller bundles which you will use up within 30 days 100% of the time and then "topping up" with another bundle as the need arise. Only way you can 'simulate' this on MTN is to have a drawer full of MTN prepaid sims which you continuously have to swop.

Yes, that's true but it's also more expensive. The per MB price for smaller bundles are higher than the bigger ones so it doesn't make sense buying smaller ones! All the telecoms companies are just trying to make money! IT SHOULD NOT EXPIRE!!!! THEY'RE RIPPING US OFF!

 

[Rural]

2 Weeks ago I phoned Nashua SP to try and find out why there was such a large difference between my month end usage records taken from the MTN dashboard and my billed usage.
From Jan to Apr08 I was billed anywhere between 35% and 72 % less than my dashboard indicated usage . In June and July I was billed 12% and 24% more respectively .
The Nashua call centre agent informed me that the dashboard data record was inaccurate. "It was just an indication", she said. It might be consequently inaccurate but when the % difference varies so widely I begin to suspect the billing system.
Anyway, why does MTN attach its name to, and issue "inaccurate" dashboard software?

 

[R13...]

Why not get a prepaid simcard, stick it into your 3G modem and buy data bundles online. This way you can use every single MB, when your data bundle is finished the connection stops working so you can’t get ripped off

+1
that's how I do bcos i learnt the hard (& very expensive) way when my mtn bill arrived & data usage was 800 OOB. so i got meself a vodacom prepaid sim & only load enought airtime to purchase a bundle, when it depletes i get cut off & no one gets hurt. but vodacom does send you an sms when u reach 4mb...

 

[Rouxenator]

The statement "The fact that out-of-bundle data rates are significantly higher than in-bundle rates means that mobile broadband users must be very careful about exceeding their monthly usage limit." is fundamentally incorrect.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised! We give significant discounts to our bundle users because they commit to larger, regular, and predictable usage which is much more attractive to us than infrequent and unpredictable usage. This allows us to do demand planning far more accurately as our total usage becomes more predictable.

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

Why then does a startup like Virgin Mobile offer a flat rate that is a quater of your normal flat rate ?

 

[R13...]

While a good idea it means I can't get smss or phone calls. Why should I have to change sims anyway? It's daft to think that a solution like this is actually necessary.

port to vodacom - they allow you to top-up as soon as your bundle is depleted. mtn don't... i'm on mtn contract (voice) & voda pre-paid for my data.

 

[ike]

The statement "The fact that out-of-bundle data rates are significantly higher than in-bundle rates means that mobile broadband users must be very careful about exceeding their monthly usage limit." is fundamentally incorrect.

The R2.00/Mb rate is our standard rate and has been for several years - it has never been raised! We give significant discounts to our bundle users because they commit to larger, regular, and predictable usage which is much more attractive to us than infrequent and unpredictable usage. This allows us to do demand planning far more accurately as our total usage becomes more predictable.

A final comment - the rate of R0.19/Mb for our larger bundles is actually significantly below cost.

what a load of tosh! out-of-bundle R2/mb is much higher than "significantly below cost" R0.19c/mb in any language. which makes it fundamentally correct. i guess when u r used to making super profits u actually lose track how much ur actual cost is. and if vodacom or anyone else for that matter was to drop their rates u'd also drop urs to lower than "significantly below cost"

final comment: prepaid is king, then they cant bill you and dream up later what they billed u for.

 

[louwtjiedt]

I think "MTN_Data_Dude" went into hiding! Shame, he can't handle the pressure! Maybe he's going to fetch his BIG BOSS to come and reply?

 

[ike]

+1
that's how I do bcos i learnt the hard (& very expensive) way when my mtn bill arrived & data usage was 800 OOB. so i got meself a vodacom prepaid sim & only load enought airtime to purchase a bundle, when it depletes i get cut off & no one gets hurt. but vodacom does send you an sms when u reach 4mb...

vodacom also sends u an sms that u r now being billed at out-of-bundle rates when ur bundle is finito. on prepaid, not sure about contract. their motivation is simple: go and buy more airtime. with contract users, u dont need 2 recharge for them 2 take u 2 the cleaners.

 

[diabolus]

Yes, that's true but it's also more expensive. The per MB price for smaller bundles are higher than the bigger ones so it doesn't make sense buying smaller ones! All the telecoms companies are just trying to make money! IT SHOULD NOT EXPIRE!!!! THEY'RE RIPPING US OFF!

Yes, it's not always the most economical route, obviously if you know you will use 1.5GB every month, you're not going to buy a 1GB + 500MB bundle everytime.

However this is more a case of "you don't know" every month, and maybe you actually use 800MB every month and a 1GB is fine, but that -one- time Windows decides to offload XP Service Pack 3 onto you [300MB-400MB] , you kinda want to do something about it don't you? In Vodacom's case you can at least buy an additional 500MB bundle...better you can buy the bundle "mid-download" even [on prepaid anyway].

Total cost [1.5GB]: R300 + R200 = R500 .

On MTN, of course, you're screwed [and this happens way too much with me].

Total cost [1.5GB] : R300 + R1.20 * 500 = R900 !!!!!!

See the difference?

 

[louwtjiedt]

Yes, it's not always the most economical route, obviously if you know you will use 1.5GB every month, you're not going to buy a 1GB + 500MB bundle everytime.

However this is more a case of "you don't know" every month, and maybe you actually use 800MB every month and a 1GB is fine, but that -one- time Windows decides to offload XP Service Pack 3 onto you [300MB-400MB] , you kinda want to do something about it don't you? In Vodacom's case you can at least buy an additional 500MB bundle...better you can buy the bundle "mid-download" even [on prepaid anyway].

Total cost [1.5GB]: R300 + R200 = R500 .

On MTN, of course, you're screwed.

Total cost [1.5GB] : R300 + R1.20 * 500 = R900 !!!!!!

See the difference?

Yes I do, but that don't make it right! I think they're just STEALING our money! Vodascum, MTN, and all the rest!