Prepaid SIM Question

[Over-Dose]

Hi,

I'm not sure if anyone has asked this on these forums before, but my searches didn't come back with a question similar to this one.

I am looking for a Prepaid SIM card Only, which doesn't have any Voice or Data attached to it, which will NOT EXPIRE or DEACTIVATE or anything that will cause me to have to look for another SIM.

Main reason for wanting this is for use in my iPad Tablet, which mostly I use via WiFi, unless I am in an area with no WiFi, then I will load data on it and have connectivity.

I foolishly went to purchase an MTN prepaid SIM (I can't even recall why I did something so stupid :wtf and it turns out that MTN have a stupid policy that requires a SIM to make a call every 90 days to keep it active.

I've recently tried activating my MTN SIM after I had forgotten to make a call from it (because it sits in my tablet) and I was told I cannot reactivate it, purely because I had done it once before.

I need a SIM that won't expire / deactivate or have any stupid stipulations attached to it, which I can load data on whenever I choose, and life goes on.

Anyone have any suggestions?

PS. It obviously has to be with a network that offers a fair amount of network coverage and also decent prepaid data pricing.

Thanks.

 

[Cellucity]

Hi there

have a look at www.hopper.co.za, will provide you exactly what you looking for. Works on Vodacom's network and data bundles charged at Vodacom's contract rates.

Cheers
Cellucity

 

[Over-Dose]

Hi there

have a look at www.hopper.co.za, will provide you exactly what you looking for. Works on Vodacom's network and data bundles charged at Vodacom's contract rates.

Cheers
Cellucity

I want a SIM to use inside the Tablet. If this will do that, I will consider it, if the costs related to it are decent.

Thanks anyway for the response.

 

[AirWolf]

I want a SIM to use inside the Tablet. If this will do that, I will consider it, if the costs related to it are decent.

Thanks anyway for the response.

While I have no experience of their services, they do offer sim only:
http://hopper.co.za/index.php/hopper-sim

 

[Over-Dose]

While I have no experience of their services, they do offer sim only:
http://hopper.co.za/index.php/hopper-sim

Well, so long as they are supported on a decent network, and also they do not have this silly SIM validity period which will deactivate your SIM if you don't use it for a certain period of time, then I will consider using them.

I want a SIM I can keep permanently and not worry about the admin related to re-activating it should I never use any SIM services, when it sits in my Tablet.

From the calling around I did, Vodacom has a limited period of use (215 days), Telkom has a 6months similar period. And I haven't heard back from Cell C as yet.

But MTN's one is one heck of a nuisance. Only 90 days, and you can only ever reactivate it once.

 

[Over-Dose]

Hi there

have a look at www.hopper.co.za, will provide you exactly what you looking for. Works on Vodacom's network and data bundles charged at Vodacom's contract rates.

Cheers
Cellucity

Ok, I just checked your site, and found this:

"Q: Do the Hopper SIM cards expire?"

"A: Yes, if no usage has been registered on your Hopper SIM for a period of three months or longer, they will be de-activated. If you are travelling and want us to extend this for a reasonable time, please let us know in writing we will and we will extend the expiry. We reserve the right to decline an unreasonable request.
If the device is remains active, the SIM will remain active."

Doesn't work for me.

 

[Cellucity]

Ok, I just checked your site, and found this:

"Q: Do the Hopper SIM cards expire?"

"A: Yes, if no usage has been registered on your Hopper SIM for a period of three months or longer, they will be de-activated. If you are travelling and want us to extend this for a reasonable time, please let us know in writing we will and we will extend the expiry. We reserve the right to decline an unreasonable request.
If the device is remains active, the SIM will remain active."

Doesn't work for me.

If you send us a request for the SIM to remain active, we can make a note on our system and the SIM will not be recycled.

Cellucity

 

[sajunky]

I foolishly went to purchase an MTN prepaid SIM (I can't even recall why I did something so stupid :wtf and it turns out that MTN have a stupid policy that requires a SIM to make a call every 90 days to keep it active.

On the other side they have quite acceptable policy. SMS should also count, so if you send SMS to the number every 90 days, it won't expire.
Vodacom have some changes, recently received SMS that they require a call every 21 days, previously it was 3 months or so...
Cell C don't even mention, they require to constantly recharge to keep your artime active, otherwise you won't even be able to make calls...

In summary there are some long-term data SIM packages which do not expire, i.e. Cell C data deals with 12 months validity, Telkom 6 and 12 month, depends on your usage.

For the starter I would suggest in order:
- Telkom Mobile R49 Starter Pack 200MBx12 months
- RedBull Mobile R49 Starter Pack 200MBx12 months

These SIM's packages do not expire as long they are connected to the network. Cellular data connection can be disabled on iPad (enabled when needed) - no matter - just keep SIM on device.

Cell C has slow roaming to Vodacom, also be aware of network problems. Telkom is the best of the bunch and above starter pack can use MTN data when roaming, but some other Telkom data packages do not.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

out of interest, anybody here with afrihost sims? what about those?

 

[cavedog]

out of interest, anybody here with afrihost sims? what about those?

Pretty much the best option out of all. The sim ALWAYS stays active and you can pause the service for up to 6 months I believe so you don't have to pay a monthly fee. You can reactivate anytime and only get charged a pro rata amount depending on the time of the month you "un pause" it.

I think this might be the best solution for @op

 

[Over-Dose]

On the other side they have quite acceptable policy. SMS should also count, so if you send SMS to the number every 90 days, it won't expire.
Vodacom have some changes, recently received SMS that they require a call every 21 days, previously it was 3 months or so...
Cell C don't even mention, they require to constantly recharge to keep your artime active, otherwise you won't even be able to make calls...

In summary there are some long-term data SIM packages which do not expire, i.e. Cell C data deals with 12 months validity, Telkom 6 and 12 month, depends on your usage.

For the starter I would suggest in order:
- Telkom Mobile R49 Starter Pack 200MBx12 months
- RedBull Mobile R49 Starter Pack 200MBx12 months

These SIM's packages do not expire as long they are connected to the network. Cellular data connection can be disabled on iPad (enabled when needed) - no matter - just keep SIM on device.

Cell C has slow roaming to Vodacom, also be aware of network problems. Telkom is the best of the bunch and above starter pack can use MTN data when roaming, but some other Telkom data packages do not.

I did have a look at the Telkom Starter packs, and the whole 6 month validity period is what I didn't dig. And their recharge rates (should I ever want to buy data for use when I am not in a WiFi zone) is also a factor to consider.

Pretty much the best option out of all. The sim ALWAYS stays active and you can pause the service for up to 6 months I believe so you don't have to pay a monthly fee. You can reactivate anytime and only get charged a pro rata amount depending on the time of the month you "un pause" it.

I think this might be the best solution for @op

The only catch here is that Afrihost is using MTN's network, and from my little experience with MTN's network (via the SIM that is not at the bottom of my garbage bin), that is terrible. And again, the data pricing, should I ever want to buy any when not in a WiFi zone, are not very competitive.

 

[Over-Dose]

After calling in to Cellucity, I have decided to give their "Hopper" (www.hopper.co.za) product a shot, as it they seem to have answered all my queries, and are also offering very competitive data pricing for when I want to purchase data.

Hopefully the product will be officially launched soon, as their site is still saying "Coming Soon".

 

[sajunky]

After calling in to Cellucity, I have decided to give their "Hopper" (www.hopper.co.za) product a shot, as it they seem to have answered all my queries, and are also offering very competitive data pricing for when I want to purchase data.

Hopefully the product will be officially launched soon, as their site is still saying "Coming Soon".

What you chose is irrelevant, as you didn't provide reasoning, similiar to any marketting drivel we already seen here.

Give me 2c/MB flat rates, the same I have on Telkom starter pack, maybe I will consider...

For now your rates are not better than mine, currently on 2GB R99 per month Vodacom contract which gives me extra 2GB night surfing. I have twice of data than on Hopper for the same price with convenience (and pitfalls) of the contract. Their network is sh%^tty in my area, but I didn't chose Vodacom to be honest...

For the mobile devices I use 200MBx12 TM starter pack (actually two per device - one as a backup) which costs me R98 per year, I don't anything else.

/Thread delete/

 

[Over-Dose]

What you chose is irrelevant, as you didn't provide reasoning, similiar to any marketting drivel we already seen here.

Give me 2c/MB flat rates, the same I have on Telkom starter pack, maybe I will consider...

For now your rates are not better than mine, currently on 2GB R99 per month Vodacom contract which gives me extra 2GB night surfing. I have twice of data than on Hopper for the same price with convenience (and pitfalls) of the contract. Their network is sh%^tty in my area, but I didn't chose Vodacom to be honest...

For the mobile devices I use 200MBx12 TM starter pack (actually two per device - one as a backup) which costs me R98 per year, I don't anything else.

/Thread delete/

I guess you must have mistaken my post and subsequent responses on this post, to be some sort of pissing contest. My previous post explained my reasons, unless you either didn't read it or maybe I am having a problem with the English language.

So to each their own. I mentioned it because I was quite satisfied (for now) with what is on offer.

Everything else is inconsequential.

 

[sajunky]

I guess you must have mistaken my post and subsequent responses on this post, to be some sort of pissing contest. My previous post explained my reasons, unless you either didn't read it or maybe I am having a problem with the English language.

Your scenario in OP seems to be artificially tailored to match Hopper's restrictions.

By example why do you require data-only SIM? It is serious restriction without a reason. I don't have such restrictions on Telkom starter pack. It has no preloaded airtime, so there is no danger for abuse. However if someone using your SIM card wants to load airtime and make calls, why to prevent it?

This is my point why I called this thread a marketting drivel.

 

[Over-Dose]

Your scenario in OP seems to be artificially tailored to match Hopper's restrictions.

By example why do you require data-only SIM? It is serious restriction without a reason. I don't have such restrictions on Telkom starter pack. It has no preloaded airtime, so there is no danger for abuse. However if someone using your SIM card wants to load airtime and make calls, why to prevent it?

This is my point why I called this thread a marketting drivel.

If you feel that my post, which was based on my needs, which I stated at the very beginning, SEEM to you like "marketing drivel", then so be it.

It is not going to make a difference to the decision I made, because I have done my own investigations, and combined it with some of the comments on this post, and am happy with what I have chosen.

My post was in no way tailored around a particular product and nor was it tailored to satisfy popular opinion.

I asked for advice, and it came in many forms and fashion. Those who made valid contributions were welcome and thanked by me, but I am failing to see or understand why MY particular needs are having to meet your scrutiny and seemingly approval.

If you don't like the post, you are free to go and be negative on other posts on the forum.

 

[sajunky]

Over-Dosed, detected easy.
Thank you for sharing what I should do. Your needs have been satisfied, you can go now...

 

[buka001]

I see now