SA's mobile networks far cheaper and practical than UK

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Frankie

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I'm over in the UK for a few months and need to get a PAYG data package for my E272 and Bandrich C100, but this just doesn't exists here.
You're forced to buy a modem with a costly contract, or use a regular SIM and pay GBP4 per day!

These Souties are really pissing me off with their sh1tty mobile network schemes/scams.
 
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Frankie said:
That was a 3G cap for the month.
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:eek: Bastards.

Looks like cell tech is one of the areas were SA is leading the pack...thanks to our useless ADSL infrastructure. Always funny when one sees the news about some US carrier offering 3.6mbps HSDPA...which we've had for like 2 years.:D
 
HavocXphere said:
:eek: Bastards.

Looks like cell tech is one of the areas were SA is leading the pack...thanks to our useless ADSL infrastructure. Always funny when one sees the news about some US carrier offering 3.6mbps HSDPA...which we've had for like 2 years.:D
Click to expand...

It just shows what a difference a relatively free market makes.
 
The only package I could get for data, other than signing a 1 year contract, was with Vodafone at GBP20/month for 3GB.
Well my usage for the first month is already at 6.4GB so the bill will end up being at least GBP80. It's GBP15 for every 1GB over the 3GB cap

I had to go into the VF store because the usage is not available online like it is with VC (not MTN).

Still cannot find PAYG data packages.

I'm accustomed to this industry always exceeding my expectations when it comes to features, but the UK has sadly disappointed.
 
Frankie said:
The only package I could get for data, other than signing a 1 year contract, was with Vodafone at GBP20/month for 3GB.
Well my usage for the first month is already at 6.4GB so the bill will end up being at least GBP80. It's GBP15 for every 1GB over the 3GB cap

I had to go into the VF store because the usage is not available online like it is with VC (not MTN).

Still cannot find PAYG data packages.

I'm accustomed to this industry always exceeding my expectations when it comes to features, but the UK has sadly disappointed.
Click to expand...

3 has PAYG data packages AFAIK.
 
Yotch said:
Here is a brief guide to activating prepaid data on the 3 network. The current rates are 1GB - 10GBP, 3GB - 15GBP and 7GB - 25GBP. You will need to visit a 3 shop to purchase a prepaid SIM card.
http://mobilesociety.typepad.com/mobile_life/2008/04/getting-interne.html
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Thanks guys.
I was not persistant enough with the local very thick shop assistants - I'll print this article and go to the shop again tomorrow.

I was told that the Internet would only work with their own phones. I challenged the guy, he gave me his SIM card and I showed how well it works in my non-'3' N95-8GB :) Not that he knew what an 'APN' was...

After the initial denial phase, everything worked like a charm and I was set up in 5 minutes:
Click to expand...
 
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Yotch said:
Hope everything works out for you! The APN is three.co.uk. Just make sure that you purchase a bundle after topping up as the out of bundle rate is 1GBP per MB! See below for details.
http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/payg.omp
Instructions for topping up airtime
http://three.co.uk/customer/linkdocument.omp?cid=1196420646323
3 store locator
http://three.co.uk/personal/help_support_/store_locator_/index.omp
Click to expand...

Excellent help - thanks very much.

I have the number ready to call and cancel the Vodafone SIM, and printouts of the web pages to show to the doff shop assistant at my local 3 shop when they open at 9:30
 
I'm pleased to report that all is sorted with PAYG on the "3" network.

This time the shop assistant that helped me knew exactly what I needed and didn't even suggest the BS that their SIM's would not work in devices other than the ones they supplied , and unlike his colleague insist I buy a modem from them. (didn't need to show him my printed ammo)

The PAYG SIM is free - I paid GBP25 for what they call "topup voucher" and the shop assistant got on the net and loaded the voucher then changed that to the 7GB data bundle.

I was p1ssed that Vodafone insisted on 30 days written notice of cancellation.

I can view my usage online with "3", which could not be done with VF.

Thanks for your help guys.
 
Frankie said:
I'm pleased to report that all is sorted with PAYG on the "3" network.

This time the shop assistant that helped me knew exactly what I needed and didn't even suggest the BS that their SIM's would not work in devices other than the ones they supplied , and unlike his colleague insist I buy a modem from them. (didn't need to show him my printed ammo)

The PAYG SIM is free - I paid GBP25 for what they call "topup voucher" and the shop assistant got on the net and loaded the voucher then changed that to the 7GB data bundle.

I was p1ssed that Vodafone insisted on 30 days written notice of cancellation.

I can view my usage online with "3", which could not be done with VF.

Thanks for your help guys.
Click to expand...

7GB for 25GBP, nice. :D Does that expire after 30 days?
 
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