Travelling to South Africa

[bleachout]

I apologize in advance for the noob question:

I will be travelling to SA in May and would really appreciate some advice, I would like to get a prepaid SIM and hopefully add on a data package to use while I'm there (about 2 weeks). Is this possible? And could I get this at the Joburg airport when I arrive? I will be using an unlocked Blackberry Pearl 8100. Thanks so much for your help, it is really appreciated!!

Mike

ps. I might need to know the TCP settings to be used with the MTN data network too, I think?

 

[Highflyer_GP]

Yip there are MTN and Vodacom stores just after you clear customs and enter the main terminal in international arrivals. I'm sure that they would also be able to help with any network settings.

 

[damian24]

once you pop in the sim card, dial *123# and you be asked a question or two about data setup, MTN should send a provisioning message to your phone to configure it.

I'm not certain about the blackberry's but it works fine on the Nokia's

D

 

[bleachout]

Thanks for the help! How much does a SIM card cost at MTN? I'm so glad I found this forum!

Mike

 

[redarrow]

Thanks for the help! How much does a SIM card cost at MTN?

Typically a prepaid sim can be bought for around R5.00 ..

 

[Captain Beer]

Checkers has them for R2.

I see PnP sells VC sims for 79c! Damn, my first MTN sim cost me R150 about 6 years ago!

 

[bleachout]

Love your signature, Toilet_Duck. I will be travelling with a group of people without a lot of chances to stop and get a SIM so I really need to get it at the airport when I get there. Would you guys recommend MTN over VC? I think I will be using Data more than Voice (and the limited voice will be International calling to the USA). Do either VC or MTN offer push email on pay as you go SIM accounts? Thanks a ton for your help, I have been finding it incredibly difficult to find detailed information about gsm cell service in SA.

 

[Daniedj]

I believe that MTN will be cheaper if you buy 1 Gig of data. Also VC as far as I know is still on EDGE not 3G(UMTS) like MTN.

 

[bleachout]

My phone doesn't have 3G capability (I'm not sure any have that yet in the US ). It just has EDGE. Do you know how expensive 1 Gig or data would be on a Pay as You Go?

 

[Captain Beer]

R399 for 2GB ATM

 

[ajax]

You don't need a GB of data if you're only going to be here for 2 weeks checking mails! I suggest get an MTN simcard (Vodacom does not have pre-paid data bundles yet, if they will EVER get it LOL) and just load some airtime on that, say R60. That gets you 30 MB of data without using any bundles at R2/MB. Then if you see you are running out too fast, consider a bundle. The prices are on MTN's website. If you buy a bundle, it lasts 30 days, but if you use it up before 30 days, you can't load another bundle onto the same simcard before the 30 days are up. A workaround is a 2nd simcard.

 

[sean12]

Just get a 100MB bundle for R80 or 10MB for R10. You can get a R15 airtime voucher.
After you have loaded your airtime,dial 555 and follow the prompts to data bundles and select a once off data bundle for the amount you think you will use.

Sean

 

[bleachout]

Thanks for the tips on data bundles and airtime. What would be the cheapest way to call the USA from an MTN PAYG sim? It looks like PAYG classic has cheaper per minute rates for international calls. But is there another way? Like buying an international calling card and using that in conjunction with the SIM? When I travelled to Italy I bought a WIND sim and WIND international calling cards that, when used, did not take away from the SIM cards airtime.

Thanks again everyone for your assistance!

 

[Captain Beer]

You can get calling cards. You dial a local number to use it and it will use your airtime, but it will still be cheaper than calling direct.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

I believe that MTN will be cheaper if you buy 1 Gig of data. Also VC as far as I know is still on EDGE not 3G(UMTS) like MTN.

Vodacom still on EGDE ?

 

[ajax]

Vodacom still on EGDE ?

No, Vodacom's 3G coverage is much wider than MTN's.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

I know ajax But was just thought he meant something else

 

[YelloFever]

Thanks for the assistance everyone

MTNDD