Warning about using MTN Prepaid Sim for Afrihost Data

[Totempole]

I just thought I should make this known just in case someone "falls foul" of this. In my case, it was just free data I lost, but in your case, it may not be.

If you only use your prepaid sim for Afrihost Mobile Data, MTN can and will eventually reissue the sim card to another customer. The only way to avoid this I'm told by MTN support is to make a paid call on the MTN Network once every 3 months. Not worth the effort, especially if the Sim is used in a MiFi Router.

As a result, one of my prepaid sims linked to Afrihost has been issued to another customer so far. In my Clientzone, it now shows up as "Consent not given".

I doubt that MTN would be willing to do anything to assist in this regard, but in my case it really doesn't make a big difference, but in your case it might, so I figured I'd let everyone know.

I recommend that anyone purchasing a paid Mobile package from Afrihost gets their Sim straight from Afihost until this issue has been resolved.

 

[upup]

I had a prepaid sim in my alarm system too, if the system did not phone me, the sim card goes as above. 3 months go so quick, and I sometimes forgot to test the alarm.

 

[Necropolis]

That's stupid.

 

[Ecco]

Not sure, but maybe a solution is to load like R5 onto your sim card – they should not be able to re-issue the card if there is airtime still available on the card?

 

[Necropolis]

Not sure, but maybe a solution is to load like R5 onto your sim card – they should not be able to re-issue the card if there is airtime still available on the card?

Doesn't the airtime expire at some point?

 

[Ecco]

Doesn't the airtime expire at some point?

Not sure, but i would be pissed off if i loaded some cash to my card, and my cash expired

 

[mister]

Not sure, but i would be pissed off if i loaded some cash to my card, and my cash expired

I would be pissed if I loaded some data onto my card and my data expired.

 

[AfriGenie]

I just thought I should make this known just in case someone "falls foul" of this. In my case, it was just free data I lost, but in your case, it may not be.

If you only use your prepaid sim for Afrihost Mobile Data, MTN can and will eventually reissue the sim card to another customer. The only way to avoid this I'm told by MTN support is to make a paid call on the MTN Network once every 3 months. Not worth the effort, especially if the Sim is used in a MiFi Router.

As a result, one of my prepaid sims linked to Afrihost has been issued to another customer so far. In my Clientzone, it now shows up as "Consent not given".

I doubt that MTN would be willing to do anything to assist in this regard, but in my case it really doesn't make a big difference, but in your case it might, so I figured I'd let everyone know.

I recommend that anyone purchasing a paid Mobile package from Afrihost gets their Sim straight from Afihost until this issue has been resolved.

This does unfortunately happen from time to time with some of our Clients. In most cases we will gladly credit our Clients for the unused data or even move the data onto the new package.

I do understand the ordering the sim card from us isn't as quick as getting a PrePaid sim card, but it does mean that you don't have to worry about loading airtime or phoning from the sim card every three months.

 

[MikeCTZA]

I wonder if a) calling your voicemail, b) sending someone a please call me message or c) an incoming call would suffice.
I only bought a cheapie MTN card for AH Mobile, would be a bit of a hassle if/when it expires.
Could go to AH SIM route to avoid this I suppose.

 

[ISP cash cow]

If you are only wanting to use the sim card for data from Afrihost, why would you use a prepaid MTN sim card?

Why not just get the sim card from Afrihost already loaded when ordering?

 

[MikeCTZA]

If you are only wanting to use the sim card for data from Afrihost, why would you use a prepaid MTN sim card?

Why not just get the sim card from Afrihost already loaded when ordering?

I got a card from the local supermarket for 99c to initially test the service with vs the AH SIM (was just quick and painless to do, and cheaper no doubt), will swop over to an AH one should the need arise. No biggie really as has worked well whenever I've had the need to use that data.

 

[Ianf1]

Do Afrihost sell nano sims?

 

[Colin62]

Do Afrihost sell nano sims?

Yes

 

[Ianf1]

Yes

Thanks

 

[smc]

If you are only wanting to use the sim card for data from Afrihost, why would you use a prepaid MTN sim card?

Why not just get the sim card from Afrihost already loaded when ordering?

To quote from Afrihost's small print:

"A RICA Delivery Fee of R149 will be charged for all SIM deliveries. "

As ever with Afrihost, read the large print, and it's a great deal. Read the small and......not so much.

 

[davepl]

This does unfortunately happen from time to time with some of our Clients. In most cases we will gladly credit our Clients for the unused data or even move the data onto the new package.

I do understand the ordering the sim card from us isn't as quick as getting a PrePaid sim card, but it does mean that you don't have to worry about loading airtime or phoning from the sim card every three months.

I've been using an mtn sim card for Afrihost data since November 2015 and have never made a voice call. I have however used mtn for data from time to time and even received 10 gig of data for R10 once. I suspect that all you have to do is use mtn data within the 3 months and you will be fine. The modem I use came with a vodacom sim and I've never used it for voice calls either, after I used up the monthly free 100Mb of data for two years I just top up with a small quantity of data from time to time which I use when mtn's signal goes down when it rains heavily.

 

[AfriFella]

I've been using an mtn sim card for Afrihost data since November 2015 and have never made a voice call. I have however used mtn for data from time to time and even received 10 gig of data for R10 once. I suspect that all you have to do is use mtn data within the 3 months and you will be fine. The modem I use came with a vodacom sim and I've never used it for voice calls either, after I used up the monthly free 100Mb of data for two years I just top up with a small quantity of data from time to time which I use when mtn's signal goes down when it rains heavily.

That's a great tip! The gist of it is, in order for MTN to not re-assign your prepaid number due to inactivity, you have to use an MTN revenue generating service. This includes topping up with airtime or data, making a phone call or browsing on their APN during the 90 day time frame.

 

[Ianf1]

That's a great tip! The gist of it is, in order for MTN to not re-assign your prepaid number due to inactivity, you have to use an MTN revenue generating service. This includes topping up with airtime or data, making a phone call or browsing on their APN during the 90 day time frame.

Why can't MTN see that the card is being used if you just use Afrihost data? This goes through the same network doesn't it, we use MTN towers to connect.

 

[Techrat]

Does anyone know if I port my MTN prepaid or contract sim card to Afrihost will the expiry issue still apply? If so how do I get an Afrihost sim with my current numbers, do I have to port and then do a sim swap?

 

[AfriGenie]

Does anyone know if I port my MTN prepaid or contract sim card to Afrihost will the expiry issue still apply? If so how do I get an Afrihost sim with my current numbers, do I have to port and then do a sim swap?

Hi! If you port your PrePaid sim to one of our Voice products we will ensure the sim card remains active as we allocate airtime to it regularly. As long as you are on a MTN PrePaid package you can port straight to us.