MTN uncapped data – what it really means

I purchased this 1 day bundle before and received an SMS moments later saying that I purchased the bundle AND that I must activate it by dialing xxx.

It really is a persons own fault for not reading what was sent to them, if it was indeed sent to them but those messages are automated so highly unlikely they didn't.

I was once also hit with a high data usage as I assumed I still had plenty airtime on my account. After going through the statements and itemized billing for the month I found my assumption was incorrect. Lesson learned... don't assume anything.

More on the article... this whole "is it really uncapped" story has been debated for years. Shaping does not mean you have been capped.
 
acidrain said:
I purchased this 1 day bundle before and received an SMS moments later saying that I purchased the bundle AND that I must activate it by dialing xxx.

It really is a persons own fault for not reading what was sent to them, if it was indeed sent to them but those messages are automated so highly unlikely they didn't.

I was once also hit with a high data usage as I assumed I still had plenty airtime on my account. After going through the statements and itemized billing for the month I found my assumption was incorrect. Lesson learned... don't assume anything.

More on the article... this whole "is it really uncapped" story has been debated for years. Shaping does not mean you have been capped.
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Sure, but the question remains why the extra step? Just activate it automatically once the purchase is done.
 
Ockie said:
Sure, but the question remains why the extra step? Just activate it automatically once the purchase is done.
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Maybe some people don't want it immediately activated.. I dunno.

It might be a step to catch people off guard and profit but that is merely speculation. It's like a 419 scammer catching someone. Is it really their fault or the person who got scammed?

Also have a look at the me&you unlimited calls for R399. Seems like a great deal but they state, T&C's apply which makes for an interesting read. Again, not their fault, nor problem if the customer didn't follow clear instructions.

Ultimately my point is, is it really isn't fair to blame a company for the mistake of a customer not following procedure ( whether you agree with the procedure or not )
 
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Ockie said:
Sure, but the question remains why the extra step? Just activate it automatically once the purchase is done.
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Maybe due to some of these purchases not being done online? I'm sure topups of this nature can be bought from a garage or shop somewhere in which case, because it's a physical voucher purchased, it needs to be activated by sms'ing a number or running a USD code. MTN probably took the view that it's too much effort to automate the online purchase only and not the in-store purchase.

Or, I could be giving them way too much credit and they're doing it this way to knowingly shaft customers who don't activate and get charged accordingly...
 
This is a perfect example of the kind of unscrupulous business practice that MTN engages in. This is why I don't even want to touch the Afrihost mobile data service as it would be putting money in the MTN mobile pockets.

I am really glad they have been nailed in Nigeria and hope the trend continues. What we really need is a proper agency/ombudsman that can proactively deal with these kinds of cases for the consumer.

#MTNmustFall
 
McT said:
So this means they monitor how and where you use the data? Is this not illegal?
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MTN has been actively monitoring usage for years. While I was using my own server they would regularly resend urls thereby messing up things that were already done on it.

acidrain said:
I purchased this 1 day bundle before and received an SMS moments later saying that I purchased the bundle AND that I must activate it by dialing xxx.

It really is a persons own fault for not reading what was sent to them, if it was indeed sent to them but those messages are automated so highly unlikely they didn't.

I was once also hit with a high data usage as I assumed I still had plenty airtime on my account. After going through the statements and itemized billing for the month I found my assumption was incorrect. Lesson learned... don't assume anything.

More on the article... this whole "is it really uncapped" story has been debated for years. Shaping does not mean you have been capped.
Click to expand...
It's widely known that MTN's systems don't work and many SMSes of this nature are late or never arrive. But why on earth have such a step in the first place? Bundles are always active once you buy them. It just seems like an extra step to catch unsuspecting people who don't know for whatever reason.

Agent_Smith said:
Maybe due to some of these purchases not being done online? I'm sure topups of this nature can be bought from a garage or shop somewhere in which case, because it's a physical voucher purchased, it needs to be activated by sms'ing a number or running a USD code. MTN probably took the view that it's too much effort to automate the online purchase only and not the in-store purchase.

Or, I could be giving them way too much credit and they're doing it this way to knowingly shaft customers who don't activate and get charged accordingly...
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I'm not aware that it's possible to do online. Purchases like these are usually done through USSD but even so if you enter a physical voucher you expect it to be active from when you buy it. Don't buy it before you intend to use it. That's how most people would expect it to work.
 
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Swa said:
It's widely known that MTN's systems don't work and many SMSes of this nature are late or never arrive. But why on earth have such a step in the first place? Bundles are always active once you buy them. It just seems like an extra step to catch unsuspecting people who don't know for whatever reason.
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It does appear to be an extra step to do just that but again that is the procedure and if there is an issue with it then the choice is simple... go somewhere else. As for their SMS system, in my 9 or so years with mtn, I don't recall getting a massively delayed sms, in fact I only recall them being quite timeous.

In my case, I was never informed that my contracts included value had depleted which lead to my large data bill, but that doesn't excuse me from my lack of responsibility. I accepted my fate and ported as soon as I could.

In hindsight though, I would like to know what the intentions were of the "victim" to get a R40 1 day uncapped and end up racking up R2000+ data bill.... abuse springs to mind.
 
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150mb is extremely far removed from uncapped. You can't even do a patch install on M$, or update your AV if a biggie hits.

I really suggest their users being bit by this look at the ISPA Code of Conduct, sections C & J, then lodge a complaint if they were treated unfairly. http://ispa.org.za/code-of-conduct/, nvm ASASA or like.

150mb uncapped? On what planet does MTN live? Lalaland?
 
acidrain said:
It does appear to be an extra step to do just that but again that is the procedure and if there is an issue with it then the choice is simple... go somewhere else. As for their SMS system, in my 9 or so years with mtn, I don't recall getting a massively delayed sms, in fact I only recall them being quite timeous.

In my case, I was never informed that my contracts included value had depleted which lead to my large data bill, but that doesn't excuse me from my lack of responsibility. I accepted my fate and ported as soon as I could.

In hindsight though, I would like to know what the intentions were of the "victim" to get a R40 1 day uncapped and end up racking up R2000+ data bill.... abuse springs to mind.
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I didn't say their SMS systems, I said the systems that send these specific SMSes. Your own experience reflects that as well. "Abuse" is really a poor excuse to take responsibility away from MTN here.
 
Buying this uncapped bundles is a waste,it's actually a 150mb bundle, the other day it took two days to download a 400mb video ,not worth it
 
The fair use value for MTN’s 1 Day uncapped Internet bundle is 150MB. If a customer exceeds this limit, their data speeds will be reduced to 128kbps.

MTN also reserves the right, in terms of the fair use policy, to take the necessary action to “prevent improper, excessive, or abusive use of the MTN 1 Day Uncapped Internet Bundle”.
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Whahahahahhahhahahhahahhahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhahahahahahaahahhahahahhahahahahahahahaahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahahah :D

BTW how does one go about abusing 150 Megabytes of data? :confused:
 
Swa said:
I didn't say their SMS systems, I said the systems that send these specific SMSes. Your own experience reflects that as well. "Abuse" is really a poor excuse to take responsibility away from MTN here.
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Agreed - in my case I purchased the 24hr bundle in order to use it, then tried to activate. The activation took around 4 hours, which was when the SMS came through

This 24hr bundle is a stuff-up in any event. The sms should include a timestamp so you know when your time starts. You should then receive notification with the end timestamp (say after 23 hours or so)
 
Sollie said:
150mb is extremely far removed from uncapped. You can't even do a patch install on M$, or update your AV if a biggie hits.

I really suggest their users being bit by this look at the ISPA Code of Conduct, sections C & J, then lodge a complaint if they were treated unfairly. http://ispa.org.za/code-of-conduct/, nvm ASASA or like.

150mb uncapped? On what planet does MTN live? Lalaland?
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The trouble is that complaining takes time and it's not worth it for each R40 bundle. In my case I knew there was a problem as I could see it but it's harder to prove without numerous screen snapshots, sms records etc
 
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