Vodacom CEO explains why mobile data expires

[f2wohf]

You realise you just show your complete ignorance of South African demographics?

Once you understand that, come back and we'll carry on with this discussion. But that means you'll have to leave the warmth and comfort of your cozy pad. At least you can take your expensive smartphone with you while you drive around in comfort in your modern car so you check out the people who don't have a job, home or car and likely have not eaten today. (Guess they should eat cake if they can't afford bread??) But you believe they should rather buy a 3G phone over a 2G phone.

Your privileged education, that you take for granted, might also blind you to the fact that a large number of South Africans cannot read or write so have no ability to use that fancy smartphone you think they should buy so we can switch off the 2G network.

So, according to you; F the poor, unemployed and uneducated, because you want 2G switched of. Nice.

And, when we do switch off 2G and many critical services collapse and you start complaining how "bad things are in South Africa", just remember it was all your idea. :wink:

BTW, the job offer to come and sort this all out still stands. I noticed you've not taken it up yet?? Why??

Lastly, many countries will likely switch off 3G before 2G. Guess you're going to get ICASA to investigate them as well?

First message where I do agree with you!

There is also a pile of manholes, prepaid meters data concentrator and others linked to 2G. Replacing them all would be a nightmare.

 

[Johnatan56]

You realise you just show your complete ignorance of South African demographics?

Once you understand that, come back and we'll carry on with this discussion. But that means you'll have to leave the warmth and comfort of your cozy pad. At least you can take your expensive smartphone with you while you drive around in comfort in your modern car so you check out the people who don't have a job, home or car and likely have not eaten today. (Guess they should eat cake if they can't afford bread??) But you believe they should rather buy a 3G phone over a 2G phone.

Your privileged education, that you take for granted, might also blind you to the fact that a large number of South Africans cannot read or write so have no ability to use that fancy smartphone you think they should buy so we can switch off the 2G network.

So, according to you; F the poor, unemployed and uneducated, because you want 2G switched of. Nice.

And, when we do switch off 2G and many critical services collapse and you start complaining how "bad things are in South Africa", just remember it was all your idea. :wink:

BTW, the job offer to come and sort this all out still stands. I noticed you've not taken it up yet?? Why??

Lastly, many countries will likely switch off 3G before 2G. Guess you're going to get ICASA to investigate them as well?

As an aside, have you worked on VoLTE for Android on all devices yet? It's been baked in since 6.0 (well, 5.1 actually on Nexus devices), they just need your settings/profile. Quite annoying that carriers are blocking the adoption.

 

[Swa]

You realise you just show your complete ignorance of South African demographics?

Once you understand that, come back and we'll carry on with this discussion. But that means you'll have to leave the warmth and comfort of your cozy pad. At least you can take your expensive smartphone with you while you drive around in comfort in your modern car so you check out the people who don't have a job, home or car and likely have not eaten today. (Guess they should eat cake if they can't afford bread??) But you believe they should rather buy a 3G phone over a 2G phone.

Your privileged education, that you take for granted, might also blind you to the fact that a large number of South Africans cannot read or write so have no ability to use that fancy smartphone you think they should buy so we can switch off the 2G network.

So, according to you; F the poor, unemployed and uneducated, because you want 2G switched of. Nice.

And, when we do switch off 2G and many critical services collapse and you start complaining how "bad things are in South Africa", just remember it was all your idea. :wink:

BTW, the job offer to come and sort this all out still stands. I noticed you've not taken it up yet?? Why??

Lastly, many countries will likely switch off 3G before 2G. Guess you're going to get ICASA to investigate them as well?

I'm not ignorant of the demographics when it comes to cellular. I also know Vodacom and MTN had a hand in creating those demographics. Funny how TM is sharing those demographics yet has a much lower base of 2G users.

Sure I may be using an "expensive" (R3k phone), that for some time was on 2G as it was the only coverage available from Vodacom. I chose my phone based on the features I wanted mainly the camera and not because it was the only phone capable of 3G. You're still on your false dichotomy of either a 2G dumb phone or an uber expensive 4G smartphone. There's plenty of options in between and funny how Vodafone developed an inexpensive 2G feature phone at the time but can't develop one with 3G capability now. There's also plenty of smartphones being passed around now but guess what, a 3G phone in a township that doesn't see the light of day of 3G won't register as a 3G user on Vodacom's network.

Really rich for you to be talking about an "F the poor" attitude when that is what Vodacon has been doing all this time with expensive data and oob so that finally the regulator is now stepping in to stop this unethical practice.

Other countries have had critical services to deal with too but the main issue here is they actually dealt with them instead of just delaying the problem and asking for more spectrum. They didn't just decide one day and do it the next. But as usual this is really about corporate customers that will never move away from 2G if they don't have to. I've never heard of an operator even considering switching off 3G BEFORE 2G but plenty have already switched off 2G.

You know Jannie, this attitude of "if you know better come and do it" of you is really condescending. There's a reason why you feel people attack you when they point out real issues and criticisms.

 

[wizardofid]

I'm not ignorant of the demographics when it comes to cellular. I also know Vodacom and MTN had a hand in creating those demographics. Funny how TM is sharing those demographics yet has a much lower base of 2G users.

Sure I may be using an "expensive" (R3k phone), that for some time was on 2G as it was the only coverage available from Vodacom. I chose my phone based on the features I wanted mainly the camera and not because it was the only phone capable of 3G. You're still on your false dichotomy of either a 2G dumb phone or an uber expensive 4G smartphone. There's plenty of options in between and funny how Vodafone developed an inexpensive 2G feature phone at the time but can't develop one with 3G capability now. There's also plenty of smartphones being passed around now but guess what, a 3G phone in a township that doesn't see the light of day of 3G won't register as a 3G user on Vodacom's network.

Really rich for you to be talking about an "F the poor" attitude when that is what Vodacon has been doing all this time with expensive data and oob so that finally the regulator is now stepping in to stop this unethical practice.

Other countries have had critical services to deal with too but the main issue here is they actually dealt with them instead of just delaying the problem and asking for more spectrum. They didn't just decide one day and do it the next. But as usual this is really about corporate customers that will never move away from 2G if they don't have to. I've never heard of an operator even considering switching off 3G BEFORE 2G but plenty have already switched off 2G.

You know Jannie, this attitude of "if you know better come and do it" of you is really condescending. There's a reason why you feel people attack you when they point out real issues and criticisms.

Look he was a former CEO and works for vodacom as head on un-innovation, so he knows best and is an expert, any thing you state or say will be categorically label as wrong.

 

[Heisenborg]

Condescending windgat. Thats all i see in mr know it all's responses

 

[jannievanzyl]

As an aside, have you worked on VoLTE for Android on all devices yet? It's been baked in since 6.0 (well, 5.1 actually on Nexus devices), they just need your settings/profile. Quite annoying that carriers are blocking the adoption.

We've requested all vendors to make it available on their devices. It's not just an Android dependency but depends if a specific handset has it built in.

If your phone supports it, you can call Customer Care to enable it for you. Or check if it's enabled. Though I kicked off a project to auto-enable all VoLTE-capable phones. It should be complete by now.

 

[jannievanzyl]

I'm not ignorant of the demographics when it comes to cellular.

Who's talking about cellular demographics???

What is the average income in South Africa? How many people live on government handouts. What is the unemployment rate? What are the education levels?

So, let me ask - yet again - how many people can afford a fancy phone?

 

[jannievanzyl]

You know Jannie, this attitude of "if you know better come and do it" of you is really condescending. There's a reason why you feel people attack you when they point out real issues and criticisms.

I keep on trying to give you factual information and you just dismiss it out of hand. So you clearly know better and thus my offer to come and sort this out for the mobile operators.

So, who's condescending? Think about it. I keep on explaining why it's not easy to switch off 2G and you just dismiss whatever I said.

And I'm serious about the job offer. We clearly need your expertise.

 

[jannievanzyl]

First message where I do agree with you!

There is also a pile of manholes, prepaid meters data concentrator and others linked to 2G. Replacing them all would be a nightmare.

Indeed, and we'll likely find out some critical service everyone forgot about is running on 2G only after things go wrong. Irrespective of how well one plans the switch-off.

But the big one is still the economically-vulnerable.

 

[Swa]

Who's talking about cellular demographics???

What is the average income in South Africa? How many people live on government handouts. What is the unemployment rate? What are the education levels?

So, let me ask - yet again - how many people can afford a fancy phone?

It's very much about cellular demographics. Demographics for a service don't always match the demographics of a country. If you don't know that Vodacom is either paying you for nothing of you're just bullshitting us again.

So let me ask YOU again, why not a simply none fancy 3G phone?

I keep on trying to give you factual information and you just dismiss it out of hand. So you clearly know better and thus my offer to come and sort this out for the mobile operators.

So, who's condescending? Think about it. I keep on explaining why it's not easy to switch off 2G and you just dismiss whatever I said.

And I'm serious about the job offer. We clearly need your expertise.

You haven't given any facts. You keep alluding to a cheaper per mb rate. Something someone here has pointed out isn't even published. You haven't addressed the issue that Vodacom has had NO REDUCTION on their main bundles FOR 3 YEARS. You haven't given any answers and just keep on bullshitting around the real issue. So while you all can't sort it out we will keep going for things like Cell C's 200GB which is cheaper than Vodacom's 40GB and has rollover. It really makes no difference to me but ironically it does make a difference for the millions on social grants you supposedly care so much about.

 

[wizardofid]

It's very much about cellular demographics. Demographics for a service don't always match the demographics of a country. If you don't know that Vodacom is either paying you for nothing of you're just bullshitting us again.

So let me ask YOU again, why not a simply none fancy 3G phone?


You haven't given any facts. You keep alluding to a cheaper per mb rate. Something someone here has pointed out isn't even published. You haven't addressed the issue that Vodacom has had NO REDUCTION on their main bundles FOR 3 YEARS. You haven't given any answers and just keep on bullshitting around the real issue. So while you all can't sort it out we will keep going for things like Cell C's 200GB which is cheaper than Vodacom's 40GB and has rollover. It really makes no difference to me but ironically it does make a difference for the millions on social grants you supposedly care so much about.

Look dude we pretty much going around in circles we already established he won't admit to any thing at any time unless it particularly aligns with his or vodacom's agenda.If we were to play the board game "Is it vodacom propaganda or the truth " with him, he will win every time, even with a rigged game and odds heavily stacked against him.

Just ignoring the propaganda and lies entirely makes him irrelevant, however "mean", condesending and child like the behaviour might be, he is just annoying every body, deflecting and not addressing the actual issue.Not sure what game he is playing at, but he is ending up the bigger fool, for one mybroardband forum members ain't stupid, word of mouth while a proverbial drop in the bucket, is just one less customer, which is enough for me.Besides this thread shows on google top results and that is more then enough for any one else outside the forum to see exactly what they are dealing with, but that said the more attention the more exposure, but all means continue, I am sure forum members will gladly pitch in for him to buy a bigger shovel....

 

[chefdude98]

I have an idea for this thread. I realised that my contribution will fall on deaf ears at Vodacom.

Anyway, I have taken an interest in dual sim phones.

Maybe you guys can point me in the right direction regarding data. All the other networks seem to have such amazing deals.

I think a prepaid Afrihost sim has an expiry of a year with data.

Why don't we beautify this thread with adverts from Vodacom's competition?

It will be handy for anybody clicking from google, I am sure they will be interested too.

 

[whatwhat]

I have an idea for this thread. I realised that my contribution will fall on deaf ears at Vodacom.

Anyway, I have taken an interest in dual sim phones.

Maybe you guys can point me in the right direction regarding data. All the other networks seem to have such amazing deals.

I think a prepaid Afrihost sim has an expiry of a year with data.

Why don't we beautify this thread with adverts from Vodacom's competition?

It will be handy for anybody clicking from google, I am sure they will be interested too.

Just port your number. Having a dual sim is not going to show them anything because you are still paying them. Logic like that ensures SA stays 3-5 years behind the rest of the world.

While any cellular provider gets money from you they have zero incentive to change anything. If people are paying you why change the formula?

 

[Sinbad]

 

[jannievanzyl]

So let me ask YOU again, why not a simply none fancy 3G phone?

Please, PLEASE make one, won't you?

All of Africa will be in your debt.

 

[jannievanzyl]

You haven't given any facts. You keep alluding to a cheaper per mb rate. Something someone here has pointed out isn't even published. You haven't addressed the issue that Vodacom has had NO REDUCTION on their main bundles FOR 3 YEARS. You haven't given any answers and just keep on bullshitting around the real issue. So while you all can't sort it out we will keep going for things like Cell C's 200GB which is cheaper than Vodacom's 40GB and has rollover. It really makes no difference to me but ironically it does make a difference for the millions on social grants you supposedly care so much about.

We were talking about switching off 3G before 2G???

 

[Johnatan56]

Please, PLEASE make one, won't you?

All of Africa will be in your debt.

You mean the ~R650 phones that are known to support VoLTE? https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...t/reliance-lyf-flame-3/slideshow/54262616.cms

 

[Swa]

Please, PLEASE make one, won't you?

All of Africa will be in your debt.

Why doesn't Vodacom develop one? What are the technical limitation preventing them from doing so? For some reason they developed a 2G when they aren't even that expensive already but can't manage 3G.

We were talking about switching off 3G before 2G???

You were on switching off 3G before 2G. In all honesty Jannie it doesn't take an accountant to point out that a R500,000 birthday cake is overspending corruption. The same way it doesn't take a network specialist to note that something is off when over a dozen networks have switched off 2G in countries with a lot more infrastructure to accommodate yet Vodacom can't seem to manage it. Maybe you can comment here and explain how being stuck on 2G is benefiting the majority of South Africans.

 

[jannievanzyl]

You mean the ~R650 phones that are known to support VoLTE? https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...t/reliance-lyf-flame-3/slideshow/54262616.cms

There's your business opportunity then. Bring them in and sell them to the local market.

Seriously. You should give it a shot. There's a market opportunity of 20 million or more for 4G phones.

 

[jannievanzyl]

Why doesn't Vodacom develop one? What are the technical limitation preventing them from doing so? For some reason they developed a 2G when they aren't even that expensive already but can't manage 3G.

With all the might of the Vodafone group, we've not managed to get a 3G or 4G phone at the same price points.

You agree it's beneficial to everyone, right? Get everyone onto 4G and everyone - especially the MNOs - benefit.

So why would the MNOs not do it?