One data contract with a bucket of data (10gb) available to 6 sim cards

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Duan

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Jun 20, 2004
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Hi Guys,

I would sincerely appreciate some advice...

I have 6 devices ranging from tablets to mobile hotspots to alarm systems and car tracking devices.... All requiring a data sim.

Currently I have a number of contracts and a number of prepaid sims. The problem is that I often end up spending way to much on one device requiring me to top-up or pay out of bundle rates or being stuck without data.

Telkom Mobile and Cell-C is unfortunately not an option as I don't have reasonable reception using their prepaid sims.
Vodacom and MTN is ok and mostly works.

Is there any way I can have one data contract with one bucket of data which is available for 6 or more data sim cards?

I asked around, but one of the Vodacom shops told me I would have to pay R200 per sim for activation and R99 per month for each sim... That just does not make sense..

Looking forward to your advice.

Thanks!
 
N

NorthPole

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Feb 7, 2013
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One possible work around is to simply login to the "My Vodacom" App to check usage and then top it up if need be... sadly you'd need to do it 6 times...
 
ghostR

ghostR

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Only company I know who allows you to have one data account with multiple sims is Telkom Mobile. Haven't heard of MTN or Vodacom doing it. It may be worth your while to look into Axxess Mobile however - https://www.axxess.co.za/mobile-data
 
A

acidb

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Sounds like you could also possibly use a mifi device with a huge data bundle from any provider, ie Afrihost, axxess and connect all your devices via Wi-Fi to that?
 
Q

quovadis

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Sep 10, 2004
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Telkom mobile has an option with up to 4 additional sims on a single account. (Data roams on MTN if no Telkom reception)
Vox has a multi sim option with up to 10 sims on a single account. (I think this is MTN based)
 
D

Duan

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acidb said:
Sounds like you could also possibly use a mifi device with a huge data bundle from any provider, ie Afrihost, axxess and connect all your devices via Wi-Fi to that?
Click to expand...

Thanks, unfortunately WiFi is not an option.
 
Icemanbrfc

Icemanbrfc

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Why would wifi not be an option at home using a mifi device? It would require 1 sim with say 10GB data splitting across your tablet, cellphone at home. Im pretty sure you dont take all your devices, when you leave home ie your alarm system etc.

Use your tablet and cellphone at work if they have wifi, and just get a small data bundle when you neither at home or at work, for say your car tracking system. If you go with Afrihost or Axxess you can get a cheap bundle to use on the tracking device, and if need be just top up via their mobile app.
 
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D

Duan

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872
Icemanbrfc said:
Why would wifi not be an option at home using a mifi device? It would require 1 sim with say 10GB data splitting across your tablet, cellphone at home. Im pretty sure you dont take all your devices, when you leave home ie your alarm system etc.

Use your tablet and cellphone at work if they have wifi, and just get a small data bundle when you neither at home or at work, for say your car tracking system. If you go with Afrihost or Axxess you can get a cheap bundle to use on the tracking device, and if need be just top up via their mobile app.
Click to expand...

Iceman, thanks for your proposal, but...

What you describe is what I have been doing, but it just does not work well.

My alarm system does not have WiFi, neither do the two tracking systems. A MiFi device can help with tablets and laptops, but it means I would need 2 (one for me and one for my SO). The other problem with MiFi is the stupid thing needs to be charged every couple of hours and when you need it, it is either off or flat.

however your proposed solution still requires 5 sim cards.
1 for alarm
2 for two tracking systems
2 for two MiFi devices
 
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Icemanbrfc

Icemanbrfc

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Not necessarily. My understanding here is that you want to consolidate all 6 devices with 1 data package ie split that data between all 6 sim cards. I will say though, that be careful with that setup, esp if you have an alarm and tracking device. I would rather suggest you look into Afrihost or Axxess as they offer very affordable data bundles and use the MTN network.

Having 1 data bundle split like that, means that you have to have quite a big bundle. If its one bundle across those devices, and its using from it constantly, then you run the risk of running out. You do not want to risk that if you are linked with an alarm and tracker. Rather maintain the tracker and alarm on their own, and then relook at the other devices via Afrihost or Axesss
 
M

mak2000

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Telkom mobile is your best option. They roam on MTN and their new data prices are actually good.
 
D

Duan

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Jun 20, 2004
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Activated Datashare last night on one of my sims... Seems like it takes a bit of time, but once it is active I will report back on how it works.
 
Magandroid

Magandroid

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In don't know about personal accounts but for business accounts both Vodacom and Telkom offer packages with one bundle and many sims. We use both at the office and just order sim cards as required. From my understanding there is no limit on the amount of sim cards that can be used and we select the data bundle size that we think we need with an option to increase it.
 
D

Duan

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Duan said:
Activated Datashare last night on one of my sims... Seems like it takes a bit of time, but once it is active I will report back on how it works.
Click to expand...

It still seems like MTN has not processed the activation.....

Maybe something to do with the strike?
 
D

Duan

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
872
Duan said:
Thanks, I did that and had no response yet.

Also, data share still not activated...

I also called their (god) help (you) desk. After 2 hours (exactly) the line was dropped.

So R118.80 in airtime and no progress! Not a good start is it....
Click to expand...

Ok still no joy... my profile states: Data share plan - You currently do not have the Data Share Plan service activated. To Activate it please go to Activate Service.

I activated this:
Reference number Request Date and time Effective date
130305057 DATA SHARE OWNER Activation 2015-07-06 19:54:56 2015-07-06

No one at MTN has been able to assist...

It seems I must look to another network... MTN is dead.
 
D

Duan

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
872
Duan said:
Ok still no joy... my profile states: Data share plan - You currently do not have the Data Share Plan service activated. To Activate it please go to Activate Service.

I activated this:
Reference number Request Date and time Effective date
130305057 DATA SHARE OWNER Activation 2015-07-06 19:54:56 2015-07-06

No one at MTN has been able to assist...

It seems I must look to another network... MTN is dead.
Click to expand...

So still nothing from MTN. I will be looking at other options, but will keep an eye on MTN just to report how long it actuality takes to get service.
 
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