just a heads up for anyone thinking of getting an MTN data contract or anyone who wants to use data on their normal phone - dont use MTN! Their network is pathetic and you cant even complain about it because their website is down (at the moment) and their call centre puts you into never ending loops. When you do get through, they say they are aware of the poor network quality, but cant say when it will be better - its been months now
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MTN - useless, incompetent, terrible network
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Mr.CookieMonster
Expert Member
This is not new. All networks are like this, where I live My 384kbps ADSL is the same speed as Vodacom's HSUPA signal.
I only use MTN for my cellphone contract and not for a dedicated internet connection, and my 3.5 year experience with them has been fine. I don't pay a cent over my monthly subscription (so high data charges aren't relevant to me) because I never use up all the free airtime. I'm constantly cashing in loyalty points for smses so I don't even need to use free airtime on them. The 3G speeds on my phone seem acceptable.
MTN isn't a bad choice imo. Just don't use them for your primary internet connection.
When my contract is up at the end of this year I'll probably move to Cell C. They just seem to be the best network by miles.
MTN isn't a bad choice imo. Just don't use them for your primary internet connection.
When my contract is up at the end of this year I'll probably move to Cell C. They just seem to be the best network by miles.
Well I think mtn is a bad choice.
I have been with them for about 10 years, waiting for things to get better.
1. Their coverage mailbox doesn't bother responding to queries. We've sent in multiple queries. Its ok if they can't do anything but not ok if they just ignore you.
2. They advertise contracts that give you the freedom to do what you want with their airtime, well except buy bundles, that's gonna eat into their profits they make by charging you oob rates.
3. They don't deal with queries unless its posted on hello peter. I mailed them multiple times telling them that I'd like to avoid hello Peter, but always end up having to complain there. Then I get helped, seems backwards to me.
4. They generally give bad service. Now I can accept paying a premium for good service, or I can accept poor service if the prices I pay are really low. But with mtn you pay a premium for sh*t service and that is not on at all.
I kept on waiting for things to get better with mtn. I think their contract deals are good, but the crap service puts me off.
In fact I plan to go prepaid rather than be forced to stick with an sp's crap because I'm on a contract. I like the idea of subsidizing the phone, but once they tie you into a 2 year deal they don't give a crap about you anymore.
I've just taken out a data contract from MTN, 2+1GB @ R189PM as well as the B683 3G Router
I thought this was a good deal, rofl I was so mistaken
MTN dont give a shyte about customers and just want to make money, why do I say this? These are my reasons:
1, I cannot put on a data bundle on the contract when I run out of bandwidth, why? because MTN want to charge you out of bundle rates to make more money.
2, They don't notify you when you run out of bandwidth, why? because mtn want to make money. Vodacom at least send you an sms when you're running out and then another when you've run out.
3, Good luck even trying to see how much bandwidth you have left, you have to take out the sim card and put it in a phone to dial the *140#
Vodacom lets you click a button to instantly see how much bandwidth you have left.
4, These are all still fine, but the deciding factor that makes me want to cancel is how the cun+s lock the router to their network, I haven't been able to find away to unlock it yet.
Can I cancel the contract?
I thought this was a good deal, rofl I was so mistaken
MTN dont give a shyte about customers and just want to make money, why do I say this? These are my reasons:
1, I cannot put on a data bundle on the contract when I run out of bandwidth, why? because MTN want to charge you out of bundle rates to make more money.
2, They don't notify you when you run out of bandwidth, why? because mtn want to make money. Vodacom at least send you an sms when you're running out and then another when you've run out.
3, Good luck even trying to see how much bandwidth you have left, you have to take out the sim card and put it in a phone to dial the *140#
Vodacom lets you click a button to instantly see how much bandwidth you have left.
4, These are all still fine, but the deciding factor that makes me want to cancel is how the cun+s lock the router to their network, I haven't been able to find away to unlock it yet.
Can I cancel the contract?
MTN isn't great by any means, but I certainly rate them above Vodacom. The last two contracts with them were taken out because I felt that they offered the best value in the market. R139 a month for R100 airtime pm, 25 smses pm and a free phone worth over R3000. Hell, that could still be the best value around.
Why change to prepaid? Just get a Cell C Straight-up contract of any length you want. R100 a month for 100 anytime minutes, 100 smses, 100MB data and 99c a minute call rates.
sanimoyo
Well-Known Member
I got out of the queue from MTN was somehow convinced it was the best and got a pay you go from Cell C, cheaper and a Gig extra
Badprop_za
Expert Member
Morning to all,
How is the signal in the northern suburbs of Jo'burg? I have an ADSL line at home, so don't worry too much about internet connection. Can someone tell me how the "voice" signal strength is? I am currently with Vodacom. For example, last night I had no signal at all.
I am considering MTN at the moment. Also, please advise if Cell C is worthwhile in terms of coverage.
How is the signal in the northern suburbs of Jo'burg? I have an ADSL line at home, so don't worry too much about internet connection. Can someone tell me how the "voice" signal strength is? I am currently with Vodacom. For example, last night I had no signal at all.
I am considering MTN at the moment. Also, please advise if Cell C is worthwhile in terms of coverage.
Each provider has a coverage map on their website. Vodacom is by far the worst network atm, so get off asap.
My dad has an MTN 3G internet connection and hasn't had any problems with it. Speeds are consistently above 3Mbps, his connection cuts out when the data runs out and the MTN software shows exactly how much data is available.
To your other points: is the network locking of 3G routers not standard practice? I imagine the lack of top-up options is to prevent customers from taking out data contracts below their requirements. And you can cancel your contract, but the penalty will be severe.
Ecco
Honorary Master
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For voice services etc, i had no issues with MTN - really good service, network wasnt too bad, on par with vodacom.
From a data point of view - i have had tons of issues. Not necessarily coverage, but more the loading of simple bundles to an existing voice contract. Not once was it an easy process. I have posted about these issues on this forum quite a few times. Dont bother with MTN for data services.
From a data point of view - i have had tons of issues. Not necessarily coverage, but more the loading of simple bundles to an existing voice contract. Not once was it an easy process. I have posted about these issues on this forum quite a few times. Dont bother with MTN for data services.
Maybe I was too quick to judge, but still they can at least send you a message when you've run out, how facking hard is that?
I am very impressed with the speeds in my area, which is why I went with MTN in the first place.
I've also realised that it's not too bad that I can't top up with data bundles, the OOB rate is only 30 cents a meg which is normal databundle rates.
I'm also pissed off that they've locked the modem to MTN, I thought that was illegal in this country.
I am very impressed with the speeds in my area, which is why I went with MTN in the first place.
I've also realised that it's not too bad that I can't top up with data bundles, the OOB rate is only 30 cents a meg which is normal databundle rates.
I'm also pissed off that they've locked the modem to MTN, I thought that was illegal in this country.
Tim_vb
Expert Member
Horses for courses...in Joburg CBD during business hours you cannot even log on to speedtest.net with MTN, Vodacom is slightly better at 0.1 Mb/s, CellC is decent at 3Mb/s. In the evening in Sunninghill, MTN and CellC are blazing fast and you are lucky to log on to Vodacom, not that it matters because I have ADSL. The moral of the story is to test at the same time and place as you will be using data.
CellBel
Expert Member
It's a waste of time trying to watch a youtube video, buffering forever.
Just heard that mtn capped bis for blackberry at 100mbs per month,after you have used up your 100mbs they switch your bis to edge which is very slow,i don,t think it,s fare! All the other platforms that buy montly data packages stay on full 3g superfast internet service! All because they loose a lot of money,nobody sms anymore because of bbm and whatsapp! Now they say its Rim thats put the capped on bis?? Gerhard blackberry fan!!
supersunbird
Honorary Master
Don't worry. I'm getting back at MTN, firstly I'm getting my Galaxy S2 and R200 airtime from them for R7176 over the 2 years, which is close enough to the cost price of the S2 when I got the contract. They get no other extra money out of me, in fact I use my monthly extra leftover airtime donate to OUTA to fight the e-tolls.
And then I link to a shaming article in my sig. MTN will get whats coming to them...
And then I link to a shaming article in my sig. MTN will get whats coming to them...