Pre-paid Data Bundles [PPDBs] How To

[SecretCode]

but my (non-3G) handset says 'Enable GPRS first' when I try to browse.

... which might have been because I hadn't downloaded WAP settings (it failed the times I tried before). Tried again - it still gave the message "*111# service is temporarily unavailable" but a few minutes popped up with wap settings, and now the handset sees GPRS.

And in the Huawei ... it connects! Thanks Candice!

Shall I summarise the "lessons learned"?

 

[Prometheus]

I've used the Huawei original dashboard and gingg's E620 Tool with the same results. Can I download Vodacom dashboard software?

http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/doc/list.do?type=-1&id=736

But watch out not to update the software on the E220 unless you have a way to change it back to the original.

The *111# service is 'temporary unavailable' for sims that are over 7 years old as well. Seems to be a regular problem. It works and doesn't work interchangably.

btw ... what is the difference between GPRS, 'internet', and 'data'?

vodacom4me (in my account > services) says GPRS and internet APN are already enabled but my (non-3G) handset says 'Enable GPRS first' when I try to browse.

When I last looked GPRS and Internet were not active - they were listed on the 'modify services' page instead.

On the 'modify services' page it also offers 'Activate Data'. Isn't gprs data? Do I need 'Data'?

There's only data which must be enabled and in my experience is usually already enabled the moment you dial 100 to activate the sim. The internet and vlive apns are usually available but the vpn must be provisioned first. Your 'old' phone saying enable gprs probably means it isn't set up or set up correctly, make sure you are using the internet and not mymtn apn that MTN sends you. See you have that sorted.

Update: I clicked 'activate data' on vodacom4me at the time of my last post. Now the 'services' panel shows "Data 9600 b/s"

That's the speed at which the modem communicates. The actual data transfer seems to ignore this as it goes through another port.

 

[SecretCode]

*111*1*7#? Or *111#, 1, 7?

*111*1*7#? Or *111#, 1, 7?

I can get my ppdb balance via USSD commands: *111# ... wait for menu ... 1 ... wait for menu ... 7 ... wait.

From various posts I understand you should be able to condense these into one message, like *111*1*7#, but all I get is
An error has occurred please try again later

Is this the right way to do it? (I couldn't see this covered already.)

thanks

 

[Prometheus]

This used to be the case but now only works for *100*01*voucher number#. Seeing how long ppdbs took to be released I don't expect it to be fixed before 2020.

 

[AirWolf]

But AFAIK, air time transfer is not allowed on top up contracts

 

[RVQ]

Contract users can also transfer airtime to prepay sims so as to in effect buy bundles on contract without risk.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but...

So all I do is enable air time transfer on my contract package then transfer airtime to prepaid and use that to buy data?

 

[yeldoom]

But AFAIK, air time transfer is not allowed on top up contracts

Is it allowed on Pre-Paid sims?

 

[Syndyre]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but...

So all I do is enable air time transfer on my contract package then transfer airtime to prepaid and use that to buy data?

I think so.

 

[Prometheus]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but...

So all I do is enable air time transfer on my contract package then transfer airtime to prepaid and use that to buy data?

Yes, will avoid incurring any extra cost when the bundle runs out. The safest option imo. That is if you don't need data on your primary sim of course. Not sure what the limit is though but I think on contract you can have it set up to the amount of your credit limit.

Is it allowed on Pre-Paid sims?

I think it was introduced on pre-paid. You just dial *111# and select airtime transfer and follow the steps. Make sure to transfer it to the RIGHT number. Again not sure what the maximum is but I have been able to transfer R289+ in total this month. Maybe V3g can help us out on this?

Please note that after posting this I could only transfer half of the airtime that I bought.

 

[yeldoom]

This has been a very frustrating morning. I began this morning with 12MB left on my data bundle which expires on 16/06. I have recharged my account to purchase a MyGig 2 bundle.

I have received numerous SMS's warning me that my bundle has approximately 3MB left. Then a minute later a SMS saying "Costs are now being deducted from your call account". I disconnect the modem immediately, check my balance (SMS "balance" to 100) "Your current account balance is R389.79 You have 5.07MB available to use. Your data bundle will expire on 20070616." If this does not sound frustrating to you, try going through the entire scenario 6 times!!
These SMS's are incorrect. v3g please investigate.

I try to purchase a bundle.
Reply: "You have a current data bundle. You may only purchase a data bundle once your existing data bundle has been depleted or expired."

How does one seamlessly transition from one bundle to the next?

 

[SecretCode]

Seamlessly, don't know.

I do the following:
I have no non-data airtime on the account, so when the bundle runs out is dies - no OOB rates. To do this I always recharge with the exact amount for the bundle I'm going to buy. This is possible using any ATM, or internet banking at Standard or FNB (not Nedbank; not sure about ABSA).

Then if I can get some other internet access I buy the bundle via vodacom4me.co.za, otherwise move the SIM into my handset (this is really not seamless ... same problem with MTN's PPDBs) and use the *111# menus to buy the bundle.

 

[yeldoom]

Seamlessly, don't know.

I do the following:
I have no non-data airtime on the account, so when the bundle runs out is dies - no OOB rates. To do this I always recharge with the exact amount for the bundle I'm going to buy. This is possible using any ATM, or internet banking at Standard or FNB (not Nedbank; not sure about ABSA).

Then if I can get some other internet access I buy the bundle via vodacom4me.co.za, otherwise move the SIM into my handset (this is really not seamless ... same problem with MTN's PPDBs) and use the *111# menus to buy the bundle.

I will use this method in future. Do you have a E220 modem? You can send SMS's using Mobile Connect. I've updated the prepaid wiki with this info.

 

[Prometheus]

Non expiring [pre-paid] data bundles?

I'm sure that when we asked for "roll over" this is NOT quite what any of us had in mind.

My undle was showing 0MB remaining but after disconnecting every time there was still a non zero value left. Slowly but surely it got less each time until no longer wanting to connect. I checked and got one SMS saying that costs are now being deducted from my account balance (which is zero) but the bundle still shows 0.24MB remaaining which expires on 20070727. My SIM from last month also shows a bundle expiring 20070624.

Should the system still show a bundle that is no longer active? What happens if I want to buy another bundle both with the expired one and the one that hasn't expired yet?

 

[Prometheus]

I just tried with three sim cards. One I never purchased a bundle before told me I don't have enough funds. One showing an expired bundle with zero balance told me the same. The one with 0.24MB remaining tells me I already have an active bundle.

Is there any reason I can not use the remaining 0.24MB or is it simply the network that is crap again? What can be so hard in designing a system that allows you to use your whole bundle?