Stopping airtime being gobbled up when data bundle depletes

[aviator1942]

I really feel that my airtime is being stolen when I get a message from MTN saying that I am now using up airtime at out of bundle rate and when I check my balance the airtime value left is R0.00. I don't know if the other networks do the same trick but it is a very dishonest approach if they do.

The Kenyan network Safaricom was petitioned by their customers about this problem and Safaricom inplemented a Data Manager whereby one can select to stop data running into out of bundle airtime. This appears to be a very good move by an ISP that has the interests of it's customers at heart

I think that a push by South Africa's cell phone users to get our ISP's to implement a similar policy is long overdue.

http://www.kachwanya.com/2016/06/29/safaricom-data-manager/

 

[ginggs]

I really feel that my airtime is being stolen when I get a message from MTN saying that I am now using up airtime at out of bundle rate and when I check my balance the airtime value left is R0.00. I don't know if the other networks do the same trick but it is a very dishonest approach if they do.

I think Telkom Mobile redirects you to a page asking if you want to continue your session at out-of-bundle rates when your bundle is depleted.

Cell-C have 3GB/365-day bundles. They don't solve the problem completely, but at least you don't have to worry about this every month.

 

[Chevron]

I really feel that my airtime is being stolen when I get a message from MTN saying that I am now using up airtime at out of bundle rate and when I check my balance the airtime value left is R0.00. I don't know if the other networks do the same trick but it is a very dishonest approach if they do.

The Kenyan network Safaricom was petitioned by their customers about this problem and Safaricom inplemented a Data Manager whereby one can select to stop data running into out of bundle airtime. This appears to be a very good move by an ISP that has the interests of it's customers at heart

I think that a push by South Africa's cell phone users to get our ISP's to implement a similar policy is long overdue.

http://www.kachwanya.com/2016/06/29/safaricom-data-manager/

Telkom does this already.

 

[aviator1942]

Chevron, thanks, I am glad to hear that. I will be changing to Telkom as soon as I can. I have my phone rooted with some useful backup and file management apps installed but Play Store constantly wants to upgrade. I have installed AFWall+ and tried blocking everything except Whatsapp but I don't know enough about how to set it to block data and airtime loss.

 

[Chevron]

Chevron, thanks, I am glad to hear that. I will be changing to Telkom as soon as I can. I have my phone rooted with some useful backup and file management apps installed but Play Store constantly wants to upgrade. I have installed AFWall+ and tried blocking everything except Whatsapp but I don't know enough about how to set it to block data and airtime loss.

Just set your apps to only update on WiFi.

 

[aviator1942]

Thanks, I bought a 8ta sim card and will see how it works.

 

[Johnatan56]

Chevron, thanks, I am glad to hear that. I will be changing to Telkom as soon as I can. I have my phone rooted with some useful backup and file management apps installed but Play Store constantly wants to upgrade. I have installed AFWall+ and tried blocking everything except Whatsapp but I don't know enough about how to set it to block data and airtime loss.

Due to the above I assume you have an android phone.
Go to System Settings > Networks > Mobile Data. In it should be a graph. Drag the orange slider to where you want a warning, the red slider will cut your data off at that point. You can change the cycles and stuff as well, so you can set the limit for that cycle.

 

[aviator1942]

Thanks Johnatan56, I am not sure how that graph works but will have another go at it.

 

[Johnatan56]

Thanks Johnatan56, I am not sure how that graph works but will have another go at it.

I am using an LG G3S, on KitKat.

Click on the drop-down to select the cycle, you can also change the cycle length there.
Use the blue side bars to drag to limit the portion of the cycle you're looking at, underneath it will tell you what apps used how much data within that time frame. Drag the orange bar up or down to get a warning that that much data has been used. Drag the red bar up or down to tell the phone to cut off using any data once that limit has been reached, you can temporarily allow it to go overboard, but it requires a confirmation from you, you can also drag the bar higher to another set limit.

Note you can also select an app underneath and tick the restrict background data option, the app can then only use data if you've opened it.

All of this only applies to mobile data, if you're on WiFi, it does not apply these limits and they don't count the data usage.

 

[aviator1942]

Thanks Johnatan56, I now see how it works.

 

[Spliffcat]

Vodacom has a nasty habit of sending a sms a day too late after depletion of your bundle.The OOB shark eats up your air time. Thieves.

 

[Johnatan56]

Vodacom has a nasty habit of sending a sms a day too late after depletion of your bundle.The OOB shark eats up your air time. Thieves.

I think that would be arguable in the small claims court, you could say that they failed to notify you of going out of bundle as the SMS arrived too late. Depends on the amount if it's worth your time.

 

[Spliffcat]

Yep. At a few hundred Rand now and again its not worth the time and effort. The thieves know this.
Absolutely no morals.Cheap Twats.