Wifi data usage sms a mystery to me

[Raven7]

Is there a fundi out there who can please explain this to me? I run Telkom Wifi router and went onto 3G mobile hotspot to see how much data I still have left. I am battling to understand this and getting hold of Telkom is like trying to get hold of the queen of England. Nada!

I don't know what is meant by "inclusive all networks data" and "Telkom mobile data". What is the difference between them? I also NEVER use the "inclusive night surfer bundle data" as I am an elderly pensioner who certainly is not awake at 12.30pm or even 5am. So it is a total waste to me. I do not surf the internet on my phone, and just use data on Whatsapp. But most of the time I use the Wifi data on my computer to get into internet and gmail.

 

[bwana]

All networks data can be used on telkom or while roaming, Telkom mobile data can only be used on TM's own network.

 

[Raven7]

Thank you bwana. However, does this mean I can use the 489MB data only on my computer? and the 30710MB (whatever that is?? Is it more than 1GB?) can only be used on my mobile phone?

 

[cavedog]

Thank you bwana. However, does this mean I can use the 489MB data only on my computer? and the 30710MB (whatever that is?? Is it more than 1GB?) can only be used on my mobile phone?

No there would be no such restriction like computer only ect...

Telkom Network works like this.

Telkom has their own towers and own network. In cases where they do not have towers and coverage they have a roaming agreement with Vodacom. This means you will start using Vodacom towers with your Telkom simcard. The switch over is seamless so you don't have to do anything on your side BUT there is a catch.

To provide affordable data they can actually only offer affordable data on their own towers and own network so they split data allocations. "all networks data" works on both Telkom towers and Vodacom towers. They are usually smaller amounts and are more expensive. "Telkom Mobile data" ONLY works on their own network and towers and when your Telkom sim switches to roaming on a Vodacom tower data will not work.

By those sms in you screenshot it seems you have one of the 1GB Smart Internet mifi deals that came with extra data on a promotional contract.

They probably giving you 500mb all networks anytime data which will be used on both Telkom and Vodacom towers. 500mb all networks night data which will be used on both Telkom and Vodacom towers but only between Midnight and 7am and lastly you are getting 30GB Telkom mobile anytime data which will be used when you are connected to Telkom towers.

If you are always in Telkom coverage forget about the meaning of these bundles as that will be irrelevant. 30710mb is 30.7GB of data. Once the all network data (489mb) is finished it will start using the Telkom data or other way around. Telkom's data depletion order is not always good.

 

[Raven7]

Cavedog, thank you very much for your clear, logical reply. I have told Telkom they may take their promotional contract and shove it. I have also discovered to my chagrin that ALL the service providers (Telkom, Vodacom, Cell-C and MTN) have these strange deals where you get, say 4GB wifi data which is fine, except for the fact that 2GB is for night owls only. This means I am paying for 2GB worth of data which is totally useless to me.
Is there no ombudsman watchdog who can clamp down on the service providers who are definitely out to RIP OFF consumers?

 

[Nerfherder]

Cavedog, thank you very much for your clear, logical reply. I have told Telkom they may take their promotional contract and shove it. I have also discovered to my chagrin that ALL the service providers (Telkom, Vodacom, Cell-C and MTN) have these strange deals where you get, say 4GB wifi data which is fine, except for the fact that 2GB is for night owls only. This means I am paying for 2GB worth of data which is totally useless to me.
Is there no ombudsman watchdog who can clamp down on the service providers who are definitely out to RIP OFF consumers?

Night owl is usually free though and the same with WIFI.. but I get you. They make it sound like part of the package but really its mostly useless.

 

[Daisy Cloudskitter]

I do not surf the internet on my phone, and just use data on Whatsapp. But most of the time I use the Wifi data on my computer to get into internet and gmail.

Yes, the data ads can be very misleading with the ever-changing plethora of ' night surfer/owl/ all net /mobile/roaming ' labels.

Just to add to what @cavedog said, in case you don't know - you can use data via the router wifi for your phone instead of using up your mobile data bundles.
Most phones can be set either to use wifi data only, or to automatically switch to mobile data only when you're out and about.