Hi all. Firstly I would like to say that this forum, with the help of v3g and all the others, is an excellent resource for anything concerning 3G in SA. Its been a great help for me, cant thank you guys enough.
Ok, lets start. So after waiting two months for a line install, Telkom comes out and tells me that my flat complex does not have any Telkom infrastructure and that it might take a few months for this to change. Great, no ADSL, what the hell do I do now.
That's when I decided to get 3G. Ideally I did not want to get 3G - the data/roll-over limits I find extremely annoying. I did not have much choice so I did some homework and decided that Vodacom would be my 3G supplier. After deciding this and doing the relevant homework regarding packages and data bundles I hatched a cunning plan to avoid being tied into a 24 month contract paying R500 odd.
My plan was to Sign a 24 month contract on the Data Messenger Plus (40mb) contract and then load ad-hoc data bundles for as long as I pleased or until I someday get ADSL. Now according to the brochure/ads an applicant would receive a either a free USB modem or PCMCIA data card, except if you took the vanilla Data Messenger (5mb) package.
So Wednesday I go to the George Vodashop, filled in the application and enquired RE the Data Messenger Plus and my plan to load data bundles. I was assured there where no extra costs (no pay ins on modems/SIM fees/registration fees). 30 Mins later I got a call informing me I had been approved for a contract. Great, I go back to the shop sign the debit order and all the rest and then the sales assistant says: "That will be R799". So I told her no, its a mistake I was told there where no extra charges. She informed me that it was R699 for the e220 modem and R200 for the SIM card. I was furious. She had 45 mins earlier told me there where no extra costs. So I lost my temper a bit and when I calmed down I payed a reduced price the manager proposed and left.
I was a bit cheesed off at the misinformation on the brochure and from the sales assistant but after getting home, having my SIM activated within an hour and installing the amazing bundle of joy that the e220 is - I must say I was rather impressed. I have great reception where I am and have done some travelling within the garden route and the reception/service is great.
Tonight I did some browsing on the MyAdsl Vodacom 3G sub forum, learned a lot as well as updated to the new VMC Lite. The SMS and being able to save your SIM PIN are great improvements.
I however do have one question: How do I load a data bundle? The sales consultant told me I could use the *111# menu on a cell phone to do this but have been unsuccessful in doing this. Tonight I registered on the Vodacome4me portal - I assume I can use the autocharge function to load a bundle, but I have to fax off the application form tomorrow first. Any advice?
Thanks again guys.
Ok, lets start. So after waiting two months for a line install, Telkom comes out and tells me that my flat complex does not have any Telkom infrastructure and that it might take a few months for this to change. Great, no ADSL, what the hell do I do now.
That's when I decided to get 3G. Ideally I did not want to get 3G - the data/roll-over limits I find extremely annoying. I did not have much choice so I did some homework and decided that Vodacom would be my 3G supplier. After deciding this and doing the relevant homework regarding packages and data bundles I hatched a cunning plan to avoid being tied into a 24 month contract paying R500 odd.
My plan was to Sign a 24 month contract on the Data Messenger Plus (40mb) contract and then load ad-hoc data bundles for as long as I pleased or until I someday get ADSL. Now according to the brochure/ads an applicant would receive a either a free USB modem or PCMCIA data card, except if you took the vanilla Data Messenger (5mb) package.
So Wednesday I go to the George Vodashop, filled in the application and enquired RE the Data Messenger Plus and my plan to load data bundles. I was assured there where no extra costs (no pay ins on modems/SIM fees/registration fees). 30 Mins later I got a call informing me I had been approved for a contract. Great, I go back to the shop sign the debit order and all the rest and then the sales assistant says: "That will be R799". So I told her no, its a mistake I was told there where no extra charges. She informed me that it was R699 for the e220 modem and R200 for the SIM card. I was furious. She had 45 mins earlier told me there where no extra costs. So I lost my temper a bit and when I calmed down I payed a reduced price the manager proposed and left.
I was a bit cheesed off at the misinformation on the brochure and from the sales assistant but after getting home, having my SIM activated within an hour and installing the amazing bundle of joy that the e220 is - I must say I was rather impressed. I have great reception where I am and have done some travelling within the garden route and the reception/service is great.
Tonight I did some browsing on the MyAdsl Vodacom 3G sub forum, learned a lot as well as updated to the new VMC Lite. The SMS and being able to save your SIM PIN are great improvements.
I however do have one question: How do I load a data bundle? The sales consultant told me I could use the *111# menu on a cell phone to do this but have been unsuccessful in doing this. Tonight I registered on the Vodacome4me portal - I assume I can use the autocharge function to load a bundle, but I have to fax off the application form tomorrow first. Any advice?
Thanks again guys.
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