What happened to my data?

[Kevin Lancaster]

What happened to my data?

Faster networks, better phones and consumers’ own habits have all led to users’ perceptions that their data is “disappearing”, a Vodacom exec has told Parliament.

 

[grok]

Nah the EFF says Vodacom data eats up faster.

 

[Ockie]

Nah the EFF says Vodacom data eats up faster.

Cause Vodacom has the best network and coverage = people consume more data.

 

[me_]

I think the perceived data "disappearing" is probably since Vodacom switched to using the data on a LIFO basis. A while ago, when you bought a data bundle to top up, the bundle data would carry over to the next month and be used first (FIFO). This led to often not using the monthly bundle data so this would then carry over to the following month, etc. I used to only buy a data bundle every few months and the knock on effect of FIFO meant I would keep carrying the data for a few months.

At some point, Vodacom changed this - now if you have any carry over data from a data bundle, it is only used after the monthly bundle data. This means that it doesn't carry for very long because it's not "new" data being carried, it's the old data bundle so it expires soon.

Maybe Jannie can comment on this.

 

[billhicks]

Commodities may include both goods and services according to economics101...

 

[me_]

Vodacom's LIFO approach has been discussed a few times before - here's a recent link:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-be-used-in-expiry-order-not-activation-order

I don't mind paying a bit more for Vodacom because their network is better, but whenever I think of the LIFO condition, it really sours my opinion of them and I start thinking if it isn't maybe time to switch.

 

[Chris.Geerdts]

What happened to my data?

Faster networks, better phones and consumers’ own habits have all led to users’ perceptions that their data is “disappearing”, a Vodacom exec has told Parliament.

Not sure about VC but my 'MTN Unlimited 24 hour' bundle got chowed in about 3 minutes on my handset. I checked the usage logs and had only used about 5 megs. No applications running, no updates shown - just pure thievery