Quite specific requirements

C

CruiserDewd

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Hi all.

I'm looking for some advice here. Here is what I have :-
  • Samsung Laptop
  • ZTE K4505-Z Vodafone branded modem
  • No Sim

I do quite a bit of work in various outlying areas where 3G / Hsdpa etc signal is sketchy, so I pretty much know that different areas will have some / good / no signal, so I'm looking for an opinion on which network (sim) gives the best OVERALL signal coverage when averaged out. Below I want to set out some requirements for setting up what I want.

  • I do not want to use VMC that comes with the modem. I have found it to be little better than a virus on my desktop machine
  • I do not envisage using that much data on the laptop - typically 500MB-1GB per month. Then again, if the deal was good to get more, I might use more.
  • I want to be able to easily check my data balance.
  • Must be stable. I don't want to constantly be re-starting apps because it has dropped the signal or whatever.
  • I do not really want to have to keep swapping sim to my phone to recharge airtime - want to be able to do that easily on the laptop.

So, could I please have suggestions on
- Which network has best coverage (probably opinion I know).
- Which network offers the best value for data in conjunction with the above.
- Which software to use on the modem.
- How to disable the k@k on there now.
- How to set it all up.

I have been searching the forum and have read many topics or various subjects, but none seem to address all these issues at the same time.

Thanks
Des
 
Last edited:
Best coverage = vodacom.

Not sure how to solve all your other issues.
 
Go with CellC for usage .5-1GB per month. Couple options for prepaid users:

1. Cell-C incredible special: recharge R50, get some 50 SMS's and 500MB till Sunday 23:59 and keep R50 for calls or converting to data bundles.

2. Cell-C 3GB R399 boundle valid for 1 year.

Cell-C can roam to Vodacom, but 2G only, so youu might need Vodacom as a backup when not in Cell-C coverage area. Here the only option is Internet Starter Pack R399 (100MB p/m for 1 year). It comes with some modem, you can sell it.
 
OK

I found out today that I can get a "slave" sim to my main sim (Vodacom talk 1000 contract) that I can use in the K4505-Z modem. That way, I don't have to get another contract. This does not seem like a bad option as I can use ad-hoc bundles, etc all on my main contract and pretty much keep track of everything on one account - not the cheapest option, but also not the most expensive either.

Any comments?

Now, how to get rid of VMC on the K4505 Zand use MDMA (or similar?) instead.
 
CruiserDewd said:
Is that from a cost perspective? Or an "admin" perspective? Safety perspective?
Click to expand...
The cost is pretty much the same.
Contract bundles have strange carry over rules; when you start a month with carry over, your new bundle is used before your carried over bundle, this means you can only carry over every second month.
Try to buy pre-paid your bundle on the first of the month, and buy one big enough to last you 60 days.
You can buy pre-paid bundles using the USSD menu in your dashboard, you can't buy contract bundles this way.
Lastly, a Data SIM on contract is "OOB Shark" bait.
 
ginggs said:
You can buy pre-paid bundles using the USSD menu in your dashboard, you can't buy contract bundles this way.
Click to expand...

Now there is a clincher for me right there!

ginggs said:
Lastly, a Data SIM on contract is "OOB Shark" bait.
Click to expand...
OOB - Out Of Bundle right? I'm running 3G at home for three years now - we are too far from the nearest Telkom exchange to get ADSL, so I'm quite used to monitoring usage and staying out of the Shark Territory ;)

Now, how best to set up my modem??
 
Just use your phone as a modem. and buy ad=hoc every 2 months thats what i do
 
FNfal said:
Just use your phone as a modem. and buy ad=hoc every 2 months thats what i do
Click to expand...

I have been using my phone as a modem, connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cable. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chow battery and cable is a PITA. I want to use the Modem as a Modem and the phone as a phone.

So far,I'm going with Voda prepaid.

Now, about that software on that modem..............................
 
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