Although the dashboard contains a data counter, certain situations can make it inaccurate. Specifically, if the dash does not exit normally (i.e. it crashes, or you kill it), the usage data for that session is lost. Vodafone is working on a fix for this.
I assume you know you can go to
www.vodacom4me.co.za to check your data usage?
If not, register on 4me with your 3G number, go to my profile->balances and you should see where you are with your data usage. Please see below for information on the latency of the usage data on 4me.
This is how the current billing process works:
Usage information is pulled from the systems down to byte level, there is no rounding of any data.
Usage information is turned into session information. A session record is written when one of the following occur:
- You switch bearer (GPRS <-> 3G)
- You terminate your session
- 24 hours after you initiated the session
- Every midnight
Once the session record is generated, it can take up to 3 hours to filter through to the 4me site. (And the SMS notification system)
Due to the potential long update periods (theoretical max of 27 hours), Vodacom is implementing a system with much better granularity.
I would suggest that in the meantime, if you download a lot, you disconnect with some frequency to allow up to date records to be posted on 4me and then to track it there.
The correct solution is an accurate dashboard with 4me trailing within a small margin. Vodacom will keep on working towards this.
After pressure from this forum, I'm glad to announce a SMS notification system will be available very shortly. You'll get one SMS when you're near your cap and another when you've reached it. The first SMS %-point is a function of the type of bundle you have.
You can also download and install a third party download monitor such as DUMeter.