Will using an MTN phone on the Vodacom network void the warranty?

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InTheCube

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As the title states, Will using an MTN phone on the Vodacom network void the warranty? So you have a phone that is MTN stock, either purchased on prepaid, or from an MTN contract.

Instead of using an MTN sim card in the phone, you use a Vodacom/Cell C/Telkom Mobile sim card instead. Will this void the 2 year warranty that the phone comes with? I believe there is a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer, with an additional 1 year from the mobile operator. Will both warranty's be voided, or just the one from the mobile operator, or is it neither?

Can anyone with more knowledge about this please confirm/comment on this issue. Can we also get comments from the forum reps of the 4 mobile operators.

I refer to the following threads:
- Removing a contract sim card from phone - MTN (2013)
- Warranty void if using different sim card. (2011)
- Cuffed to your cellular operator (2007 MyBB article)
- Using a competitor SIM in a Vodacom device voids your warranty (2010):
Ockie said:
HEHE...does not exactly work like that. When we book in a phone, the IMEI gets checked against the warranty database. If the modem was never used with a Vodacom SP sim, then the system will not accept the booking. If the IMEI was not used with a Vodacom SP sim within the last consecutive 90 days, then the warranty will go pending and the system will not accept the booking. You can of course pop in a Vodacom SP sim and leave it in over night. This will then reinstate the warranty....BUT, if something goes wrong with the unit and it is unable to connect to the network to register the IMEI, then you are buggered.
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Could not find anything more recent. Does the above still apply in 2015?
 
Hey,

I would say that under the CPA act you have to still be covered by the warranty period.

A prepaid phone is not subsidised by MTN, so in essence you have bought a product from them, same as had you bought the product directly from the supplier.

If you are on contract, as long as the contract is valid and you are not in arrears, the same rule applies.
 
Hey i have phones and i use any network really never had a problem and you take it in for repair i actually don't think they will even ask..
 
xodosman123 said:
Hey i have phones and i use any network really never had a problem and you take it in for repair i actually don't think they will even ask..
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+1

Bought a cheap R500 phone on MTN prepaid. Only ever used a prepaid cellc simcard in it and after 9 months the phone refused to switch on and I took it back. MTN repaired it without asking any questions. I just handed the phone back with all the slips.
 
Thanks for the replies, though these seem to be more anecdotal evidence than official confirmation. Anyone have something a bit more concrete to go on?
 
Ho3n3r said:
If you call MTN you'll get official confirmation.
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I'm not going through the MTN call center ever again. Also, not going to dial any of the other mobile operators. That's why I posted here on SA's largest IT forum. I'd rather sit and wait for a more concrete response.
 
Saajid said:
I'm not going through the MTN call center ever again. Also, not going to dial any of the other mobile operators. That's why I posted here on SA's largest IT forum. I'd rather sit and wait for a more concrete response.
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Then I hope they have a rep on here.
 
Good Day


Please note that the warranty term is covered by the Manufacturer not Cell C, therefore the customer can use any sim on the device. That will not void the warranty.

We will however require a proof of purchase to confirm the activation date or purchase date on devices that were purchased from our Network, but not activated or used on our network to enable us to book or validate the warranty of the device that is being booked for Repairs.

Warranty indicator.PNG

Regards
Cell C | DM
 
Good Morning

Using another network sim will not void the warranty. It is important though that the handset should have been at least activated on the Vodacom network to have an activation date for warranty purposes. Alternatively if a Vodacom sim was never used in the device the client will have to provide a valid Proof of purchase to qualify for a warranty claim.

Regards
Vodacomdata
 
For some reason, the Telkom Mobile rep replied to me via PM, but hasn't responded to my request to reply directly in this thread. So here is a copy/paste of the PM he sent to me:

Telkom Mobile said:
Hi Saajid,

Thank you for making contact with us.

Please be advised that when you are using a different SP on the device you had purchased from Telkom Mobile the warranty will fall away or get voided. Please make sure that if you bought a device from Telkom Mobile use the Sim Card you got with the device instead of a competitor's Sim.

Your reference number SM95485

Regards
Ntsikelelo Ngcanga
Telkom Social Media Team

Saajid said:
Hi there Telkom rep.

As per the title, will using a competitor's SIM card (MTN/Vodacom/Cell C) in a phone sold by Telkom Mobile void the warranty on the phone?

Please read and respond in the following thread: Will using an MTN phone on the Vodacom network void the warranty?


We would really appreciate an official response from Telkom Mobile

Thanks in advance.
Saajid.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

So we only haven't received a reply from the MTN rep.
 
Saajid said:
For some reason, the Telkom Mobile rep replied to me via PM, but hasn't responded to my request to reply directly in this thread. So here is a copy/paste of the PM he sent to me:



So we only haven't received a reply from the MTN rep.
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And you never will MTN reps on MYBB come post for a day or 2 then disappear for a year or so, then restart the cycle.

Anecdotal evidence I had a Nokia 5 from MTN my wife was using it with a Vodacom sim it buggered up, took it to MTN booked it in no questions asked - although the guy at MTN did say "you know if you took this directly to Nokia they give back in 3 days not the week or so we will take" left it with them since haven't had a good dose of honesty in a while

P.s Telkom rep needs to read CPA - that wont fly AFAIK waranty isnt voided if diff sim
 
the last time I asked.....

If you buy a device from MTN and use it on VC,TM etc... The manufacturers warranty is still valid.

another interesting point I've noticed...
(with the exception of the steppa range, for obvious reasons)
MTN does not brand their highend devices unlike VC and some of the others.


If it has changed since the last discussion I had, then I am not aware of such changes.
 
Saajid said:
Thanks for the replies Cell C and Vodacom reps. Now we wait for MTN and Telkom Mobile.
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I bought a new cell phone from Game Stores today and the sales person said my warranty will be void if I use any other network besides Vodacom. My phone was rica'd and messages was sent to it with vodacom number i did screen prints.(for my records) I suppose it is now safe to use my Telkom sim card ?
 
Gremlynrsa said:
I bought a new cell phone from Game Stores today and the sales person said my warranty will be void if I use any other network besides Vodacom. My phone was rica'd and messages was sent to it with vodacom number i did screen prints.(for my records) I suppose it is now safe to use my Telkom sim card ?
Click to expand...


“From a Vodacom perspective, it is not standard practice to SIM/network-lock devices,” the mobile giant said. Vodacom also said that any warranties on phones would remain valid if the consumer ported to another network operator. "
 
Gremlynrsa said:
I bought a new cell phone from Game Stores today and the sales person said my warranty will be void if I use any other network besides Vodacom. My phone was rica'd and messages was sent to it with vodacom number i did screen prints.(for my records) I suppose it is now safe to use my Telkom sim card ?
Click to expand...
Wait till out of box period has passed, less hassle than having to educate store staff on CPA regulations.
 
Gremlynrsa said:
I bought a new cell phone from Game Stores today and the sales person said my warranty will be void if I use any other network besides Vodacom. My phone was rica'd and messages was sent to it with vodacom number i did screen prints.(for my records) I suppose it is now safe to use my Telkom sim card ?
Click to expand...
the warranties and guarantees are held by the manufacturer , you can use whatever sim you want the store salesperson can't answer if its not in the script
 
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