My EDGE/GPRS connection stops working when I buy a databundle...Help?

[Prometheus]

@Prometheus, what v3g is trying to explain to you, is that the pre-paid data system is based on and has evolved from the pre-paid voice system, and pre-paid voice has always required a minimum balance in order to make a call or send an SMS or MMS etc, so it does make sense that pre-paid data also has a minimum balance requirement in order to successfully connect, it also makes sense that pre-paid data is not exactly the same as pre-paid voice, so the minimum requirements to use pre-paid data will be slightly different to those of pre-paid voice.

The old system however did not have a minimum requirement. I am not sure if you could connect with a zero balance but you could on vlive which makes sense since it is a free service anyway. Only with the new system was the R1 minimum introduced. A positive value instead of an arbitrary minimum value would make more sense and you'll be surprised how far a kid on mxit can still go with only 10c. What caused the headache was the minimum value on the bundle. You can't use it but can't buy a new one either. Surely someone at Vodacom must have foreseen this? Now that is finally fixed although in an undesirable way with all the problems. I'm really not trying to be nasty here but surely you can see from all this that Vodacom have incompetant people working on these things.

Also, v3g has indicated that a fix has been implemented for the problem where one cannot buy another PPDB near the end of an existing non-expired PPDB, the fix that v3g posted about in this thread, is sufficient IMO, and doesn't require reducing the minimum R1.00 pre-paid balance that I suggested earlier in this thread based on my own unclear understanding of how the system actually works which v3g clarified earlier in this thread.

I am not too bothered about the R1 minimum requirement itself. The question is why introduce a minimum balance on the bundle when this will cause problems that need a fix which cause even more problems. The logical step would be to not introduce it in the first place or as they say don't try to fix what ain't really broken.

We could continue to debate this R1.00 requirement ad infinitum, however the system is not far off from the way you want it to work, IMO the only issues that remain unresolved are the hard-capping when a PPDB is depleted [instead of going into OOBR territory], and the disconnect pre-requisite for system #2 to return credit back to system #1.

Only problem is that it's not working now at all.

Again, if you're such an expert, come sort it out. But of course you can't. Reality is you've got no clue on a subject on which you're very fond to make profound statements. Invariably they're warped...

What is your background by the way? What did you study or what are your main subjects at school? Obviously not anything technical.

I never claimed to be an expert and from what I can see neither are the people working there. First it takes 2 years to implement something as simple as a prepaid data bundle even other people have said that is just ridiculous. Then they introduce system "requirements" that need a fix which cause even worse problems. Something is seriously wrong there with all these problems. Oh and btw, I mentioned once upon a time that Vodacom can roll out their own network but was told that this could not be done. Now both Vodacom and MTN are doing it exactly as suggested.

You obviously did not read my previous posts on how all this works. Or did you not understand it? Thought you're the expert?

I did not see any explanation that would not allow for the whole balance to used after a disconnect.

There is absolutely no difference between buying a car or buying a data bundle. You do your research, decide which product you want and, if the pros outweighs the cons, then you buy it.

Vodacom runs constant user surveys. There's a whole department dedicated to this. You really think they'll spend millions developing a product that won't have an ROI? Economics 101, but then you probably not doing economics at school either.

Vodacom built a product. It's your decision if you want to use it. No-one is forcing you to buy it. (Or did someone hold a gun to your head?) I know Vodacom did its best to come up with a product that will have a broad appeal within the constraints of what can be done. And continuously try and adjust it to better suit user requirements.

I'm sorry but I have to differ. Buying a bundle is very different from buying a car when there are hundreds of models too choose from and almost certainly one to suit your needs. There are only two real alternatives when choosing a bundle, both expire in 30 days. We can all debate this till death but at the end of the day we all know there isn't much choice in the telecoms market and sometimes no choice at all. I used to buy a product that worked satisfactorily, now when I bought it it didn't work anymore.

Hundreds of thousands of people are using it. If you don't like it, don't use. A free market remember?


There are many more than two players, each with multiple products, thousands in total if you include the WISP's. Maybe do some reading on the subject?

So it's either use it or don't? Again that is not the definition of a real free market. If we had at least ten cell networks instead of just 3 we might call it that but from what I hear even the UK who has that option is complaining. Can I use my old equipment with the WISPs? What about the money already invested will Vodacom give me a refund for that? If I later decide to switch in this "free market" will I have to buy new proprietary equipment? I guess if it's proprietary I'll have to. Do any of them get their local bandwidth from anywhere other than Telkom or IS and their int from anywhere other than Telkom. I really can't see where the choice is in this market, can anyone else?

Or, if there is such a gap in the market, why don't you start your own broadband company? You're already an expert, now go and do it. Just remember to come here and explain every single decision you made and put polls out on how your company should be run and how the products should be structured.


There's been plenty logical answers on this forum. I spend my weekends typing them up. Read them.

Someone from a large overseas firm posted here about bringing true broadband for only R50. This idea was abandoned not because it wasn't practically achievable but because the law protecting the fatcats wouldn't allow it.

14:30 update:
NOT WORKING

 

[vodacom3g]

The old system however did not have a minimum requirement. I am not sure if you could connect with a zero balance but you could on vlive which makes sense since it is a free service anyway. Only with the new system was the R1 minimum introduced. A positive value instead of an arbitrary minimum value would make more sense and you'll be surprised how far a kid on mxit can still go with only 10c.

There was no 'old system'. The way PPDB work has been the case since day 1. Is it so hard to understand?

But it seems for you the 'old system' was when you knowingly stole data.

I understand that as a school kid, 10c is a big number for you and R1 even more so. What I would like to propose is the following:

- PM me you address and I'll, personally, send you R1.
- Put this in you account and don't use it so that it's always there to ensure you can always connect, even if it is to VLive where you won't be able to do anything as you don't have money to buy anything. But you can browse away to your heart's content.

So, please accept my R1 as a token of admittance of your superior knowledge and clairvoyance. And so we can end this senseless debate as you're clearly not interested in any answers...

 

[Prometheus]

There was no 'old system'. The way PPDB work has been the case since day 1. Is it so hard to understand?

old system = no bundle
new system = bundle
Isn't that why the new system was implemented or so it was claimed?

But it seems for you the 'old system' was when you knowingly stole data.

Ok, now were back at "stealing" data which would not be necessary if we were paying a fair price for it. Never mind all the GBs that Vodacom steals from users every month.

I understand that as a school kid, 10c is a big number for you and R1 even more so. What I would like to propose is the following:

- PM me you address and I'll, personally, send you R1.
- Put this in you account and don't use it so that it's always there to ensure you can always connect, even if it is to VLive where you won't be able to do anything as you don't have money to buy anything. But you can browse away to your heart's content.

So, please accept my R1 as a token of admittance of your superior knowledge and clairvoyance. And so we can end this senseless debate as you're clearly not interested in any answers...

Very funny... Unfortunately I loaded the exact amount and now don't have anything left after buying the bundle. Only have R25 and R18, will Vodacom allow me to transfer R1 of that? I guess since someone again decided I can only transfer R29 the answer is NO so I'm really stuffed. I paid for a service that is suppose to be working, this is not my mess it's Vodacom's so have them fix the damn thing.

22:10 update:
STILL NOT WORKING

02:05 update:
Still DEAD as a dodo...



EDIT: Saw your pm just now. Somehow the forum software seems broken as well and didn't report new messages. Getting 500 errors from the server as well.

I'll try to be as detailed as possible. 2GB bundle purchased around 02:00 on 13th. Account balance is zero. Can check balances on and off from *111# sometimes working sometimes not. Whenever bundle balance is offline the bundle seems to be offline as well and unable to connect. Now however the bundle balance is online but best guess is for some reason the bundle is not recognised and without an account balance there's no connection.

Does anybody else here that can connect with a bundle also have a zero balance?

 

[ginggs]

Does anybody else here that can connect with a bundle also have a zero balance?

Currently I have a R1.00 airtime balance and a bundle and can connect, but for the last three weeks or so, I had a R0.00 airtime balance and a bundle and could also connect, see here for details.

 

[vodacom3g]

EDIT: Saw your pm just now. Somehow the forum software seems broken as well and didn't report new messages. Getting 500 errors from the server as well.

I'll try to be as detailed as possible. 2GB bundle purchased around 02:00 on 13th. Account balance is zero. Can check balances on and off from *111# sometimes working sometimes not. Whenever bundle balance is offline the bundle seems to be offline as well and unable to connect. Now however the bundle balance is online but best guess is for some reason the bundle is not recognised and without an account balance there's no connection.

Does anybody else here that can connect with a bundle also have a zero balance?

I sent the PM asking for more details on Saturday evening, the 13th, after your PM to me.

You seem to be using 3 different numbers to either connect or do air-time transfers, and on the number you gave me it does not appear you've ever used data.

Can you check if you either gave me the correct number or if you've got the correct SIM in your phone? It might be that the bundle is on another SIM.

I don't have direct access to the systems to check what's going on, so we're playing the old telephone game at the moment. It would be much quicker for you to call 155 with the 3 numbers you use and figure out what's going on.

 

[Prometheus]

I sent the PM asking for more details on Saturday evening, the 13th, after your PM to me.

You seem to be using 3 different numbers to either connect or do air-time transfers, and on the number you gave me it does not appear you've ever used data.

Can you check if you either gave me the correct number or if you've got the correct SIM in your phone? It might be that the bundle is on another SIM.

I don't have direct access to the systems to check what's going on, so we're playing the old telephone game at the moment. It would be much quicker for you to call 155 with the 3 numbers you use and figure out what's going on.

No I just checked and sent a call me to that number, it worked. I also transferred airtime as you said to that number, which I then used to buy the bundle. The bundle is working now thank you very much. I did use a bundle on it before. If they could not see the bundle then it's probably like I said some systems not being able to see it. Info on bonus vouchers from *111# still giving an error.

Currently I have a R1.00 airtime balance and a bundle and can connect, but for the last three weeks or so, I had a R0.00 airtime balance and a bundle and could also connect, see here for details.

Ok, but I specifically want to know if anyone could connect with a zero balance and a bundle since the 13th.

EDIT: If it's of any interest this was also the only SIM I got "Your SIM has been migrated to SIM 32k WIG enabled" and "Your Prepaid recharge service has been migrated to Prepaid recharge service" messages after I activated it.

 

[sunsoffun]

So I've been told by the countless perplexed Customer Care staff... but no, in fact, my phone signal and EDGE/GPRS signal are both perfect.

I can call & send/receive SMSes fine, and my "E" icon displays as it always has. Its ONLY when I have a databundle active that my phone wont connect to the internet. This is why I'm so confused & also why I'm not taking the vague, but final, advice of the technician - "we're having problems with the network & we'll notify you when the problems are resolved"...

I have been having the exact same problem. This problem started on Thursday and nobody can help me at vodacom. - "we're having problems with the network & we'll notify you when the problems are resolved". Was your problem ever sorted out? If yes, please let me know how you went about it to get it resolved. It pisses me off that i have paid for a service and Im not getting it.

 

[sunsoffun]

Those of you who had / have pre-paid bundle problems (gings / Rhyan / rappa / prom), can you confirm what size bundle you bought and when?

Think we nailed it.....

Im having the same problem as these guys... I bought a 1 Gig and have used nothing of it so far. Please check your PM for more information!

 

[sunsoffun]

Internet stops working when I bought a 1G bundle.

I bought a one gig data bundle from Vodacom last week Thursday. Now my internet no longer works. I have used the 3G service on this sim previously without any hazzle in the past.

I connect to Vodocom, get given a IP address and everything else... but just wont display internet pages or connect to mail at all. I have been on the phone to 082 155 on numerous occations without any luck.

Has anybody expercienced this problem, if so, did you ever get it resolved and how you went about it getting it sorted out.

Thanks

Help appreciated!!!

 

[Prometheus]

I bought a one gig data bundle from Vodacom last week Thursday. Now my internet no longer works. I have used the 3G service on this sim previously without any hazzle in the past.

I connect to Vodocom, get given a IP address and everything else... but just wont display internet pages or connect to mail at all. I have been on the phone to 082 155 on numerous occations without any luck.

Has anybody expercienced this problem, if so, did you ever get it resolved and how you went about it getting it sorted out.

Thanks

Help appreciated!!!

Do you also have a zero balance? Seems everyone with zero balances couldn't use a bundle even after it was suppose to be sorted. If you're still having the problem it must be bundle specific. When your number gets to the right person it should be sorted.

 

[Csnoopy]

Do you also have a zero balance? Seems everyone with zero balances couldn't use a bundle even after it was suppose to be sorted. If you're still having the problem it must be bundle specific. When your number gets to the right person it should be sorted.

Don't give up your on the brink of miracle don't give up remember VC is still on the throne.

Patience guy's patience VC has purchased several christmas socks & your in for a BIG surprise,

 

[sunsoffun]

Don't give up your on the brink of miracle don't give up remember VC is still on the throne.

Patience guy's patience VC has purchased several christmas socks & your in for a BIG surprise,

Maybe a buy one get one free.... that would put a sock into mtn's stocking!

 

[Prometheus]

Maybe a buy one get one free.... that would put a sock into mtn's stocking!

Will this second one go stale and expire before I start using it?

 

[Csnoopy]

Will this second one go stale and expire before I start using it?

I don't believe that MTN has this option anymore.

 

[Mr M]

Had a problem in the same area as the others.

My bundle had reached its limit but a *111# query showed there was still 230k. As a result I could not buy a new bundle.

The VC tech I spoke to at 155 seemed to know exactly what I was talking about and had the problem resolved shortly.

They are aware that there is an issue with 'leftover' data in a bundle but I don't think the patch applied works every time. The reason I say this is that I looked at the post from V3G regarding the date they applied the patch and the bug still persisted 2 days thereafter.

Keeping a healthy credit on the data sim seems to be the workaround for now.

As long as I can surf, it's all good.......

 

[vodacom3g]

Had a problem in the same area as the others.

My bundle had reached its limit but a *111# query showed there was still 230k. As a result I could not buy a new bundle.

The VC tech I spoke to at 155 seemed to know exactly what I was talking about and had the problem resolved shortly.

They are aware that there is an issue with 'leftover' data in a bundle but I don't think the patch applied works every time. The reason I say this is that I looked at the post from V3G regarding the date they applied the patch and the bug still persisted 2 days thereafter.

Keeping a healthy credit on the data sim seems to be the workaround for now.

As long as I can surf, it's all good.......

Please PM me as much details as possible. I'd like to pass it on for tracing.

 

[ic]

Keeping a healthy credit on the data sim seems to be the workaround for now.

Healthy being no more than R1.00, otherwise the R2.00/MB OOBR has a way of depleting that more than generous credit balance in double quick time.

 

[Csnoopy]

Healthy being no more than R1.00, otherwise the R2.00/MB OOBR has a way of depleting that more than generous credit balance in double quick time.

I lost +- 600MB + R15.xx. I was till trying to deplete the 600MB and it went over 24:00 & a couple of seconds later it started eating at my credit & in no time the credit was gone. Dit maak my somer die HOENDERS in.

As ic say's dont pay more that R1 or else they are gonna use it.

 

[ZR6RON]

Who said that this was FIXED ???

I went through the "stuck bundle" experience with everyone else last month, called 155 and thanks to this forum, I was informed, could watch and all came right. Now we come to this month end and ? . ? .

My previous bundle wore out on 30 Oct. SMS recieved "you only have 3755651 bytes left" and then a bit later "Costs are now being deducted ..." etc.

All OK, the timing matched Netmeter and the HMP records. Added some money, bought another bundle, disconnected and reconnected and carried on. Got a SMS yesterday evening, "You Only have 3046158 bytes left..."

Check up on Voda4me data bundles, I have 1023.87MB available!!

Call 082-155 . . . wait . . .wait . . . "# for callback" . . . wait.

No panic, I will continue and watch, let's see what happens but something seems to be out of sync.

pm V3g.

Tonight, guess what, I recieve an SMS "Costs are now being deducted from your call account. . . "

Check on V4me, Data bundle = 1023.87MB ?

Add some more money.

Try 082-155 . . . wait . . . "# for callback" . . . wait.

Is this the new VC plot? "Jam the bundle, stay unavailable and deduct R2.00 per meg while the time available to use up the 1G bundle slowly dwindles to an impossibility!"

OR

"the patch came off".

 

[Prometheus]

It seems there's a whole bunch of new issues. It looks like there's now a delay in the usage for prepaid bundles. I connect then use a bunch of data only to find afterwards that it still shows the same as defore I started. Ok, no problem I though, Vc knows how much is left to use and how much you use so even if it's a few minutes late they will just deduct it later or after you disconnect.

No problem I said? Only for Vc that is. I transfer my remaining balance so I could just use up the last bits with a balance of zero and they can't take anymore than what is "rightfully" theirs. Disconnecting I find my bundle at zero and my balance at R-0.68. That's NOT a typo, they literally found a way to take what doesn't belong to them the snakes! And the extra bytes? Well, exactly 0.34MB more than what my bundle had left.