Activate Vodacom Prepaid Sim Card
Contents Basics ProvidersThe Republic of South Africa has 4 network operators:. Vodacom. MTN. Cell C.
Telkom (formely 8ta)This is supplemented by Hello Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Trace Mobile and some other MVNOs running on the Cell C network. MTN had recently expressed interest to host MVNOs and have thus partnered with Afrihost, a leading South African ISP launching Air Mobile. Another 4G/LTE operator called Neotel focuses on home broadband and triple play only. That's why it's not mentioned any further.In 2017 there were more than 90 million subscribers on South African networks.
45% of them used Vodacom, 35% MTN, 16% Cell C and less than 4% Telkom.Frequencies and coverageThe 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies deliver 2G for all operators with 3G offered on 900 MHz and 2100 MHz except for Telkom using 850 MHz. 4G/LTE was launched in 2012 on 1800 (B3) MHz in major centres by Vodacom and MTN and more recently on 2300 MHz (TD-LTE, B40) and 1800 MHz (B3) on Telkom and 2100 MHz (B1) and 1800 MHz (B3) on Cell C.Vodacom followed by MTN have the best coverage and speeds in the country. Cell C and Telkom are far behind, but both have a national roaming agreement with either Vodacom or MTN for coverage outside of their own footprint. These agreements only refer to 2G and 3G, but not to 4G/LTE. So if you need fast data, they might not be such a good solution outside of city centres.Availability and registrationPrepaid SIM cards are available in provider outlets, airports and almost all retail chain stores usually at R5 or less. Since 2009 all SIM cards need to be registered before activation by a RICA agent with registration usually done at the point of purchase. RICA stands for the SIM registration scheme and requires an ID card or passport and a proof of residence.You don't need to go to a store of the providers to get your RICA as many supermarkets can perform the same duties much faster.
Some users have been rejected, because officially you need a home address and have to prove it, what can't be done by most passports. Many RICA agents take your hotel or B&B address in South Africa instead. A few may insist on this address though and you might think of bringing along something official like an ID card with your name and address or a hotel reservation to get approved.Top-upsThe SIM card needs to be recharged with airtime value to make calls and purchase bundles. Many plans may give you 'free' airtime, but this can't be used to purchase bundles.
You can recharge at most retail stores including: Clicks, CNA, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Edgars, Jet, Legit, Mr Price, Pep Stores, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite Checkers, Spar, Woolworths and Ster Kinekor and the petrol stations of BP, Caltex, Engen, Total, Sasol and Shell.New regulationsBy 2018 all providers are required to allow subscribers to roll over unused data or transfer it to another user on the same network according to new rule by the regulator. Additionally, the new regulations will not allow operators to charge out-of-bundle tariffs without first obtaining consent from subscribers. Mobile networks in South Africa will be required to send bundle depletion notices to customers at 50%, 80% and 100% depletion, and require an opt-in from subscribers to continue charging for the services.More infoSouth Africa has the usual 220 V / 50 Hz electricty supply, but uses an usual type M macro-shaped plug. You will need to bring or buy an special adaptor to convert to this special plug. All mobile phones in South Africa use a euro-style plug for the charger.
Euro plug adaptors and chargers are available in phone shops for around R 100 in the country.More information can be found on the website with further and different. They are highly recommmended for more information.VodacomVodacom is the biggest mobile provider in South Africa and is 50% owned by UK-based Vodafone.
Activate Vodacom Prepaid Sim Card Offers
It’s the market leader with the most customers, a good coverage ) at the highest prices.In an independent network test in 2017 Vodacom was placed top in all six categories and achieved the overall highest score. Vodacom’s 2G network covers 99% of the country’s population, with 3G at 99% and 4G at 80% in 2018 which is the widest coverage of the country’s mobile network operators.Their tourist line B4IGO has been terminated.
If you want a SIM card for a premium before travel check out this Vodacom reseller:AvailabilityTheir regular prepaid SIM cards are available in all of their outlets for around R 5 as well as most supermarkets, including Woolworths in the airports of Johannesburg and Capetown. There is a Vodacom store in OR Tambo International Airport (on the right after leaving baggage claim area). Note that a starter can be as low as R 1 in some shops and high as R 100 at the airports.
But there, they can help you with setting up and are open after hours too.Vodacom offers a large variety of price plans and the Vodacom Prepaid 79c Plan is the easiest, best value plan for voice calls. At the airport they carry the regular SIMs too, albeit for a significant premium (the Vodacom shop at O.R. Tambo airport charged R 100 for the SIM alone in April 2016).RICA registration at the airport is quick as they are used to registering tourists with a passport and proof of accomodation. Most supermarkets have the equipment to register SIM cards (look for 'RICA agent' sign). Most retail outlets carry three-in-one SIM sizes.Top-ups can be made at almost any retail outlet.Data feature packagesA variety of monthly packs for data is available and offered in both a recurring and a once-off version at the same price.
The default rate out of bundle or for overuse is R 0.89 - R 0.99 per MB. daily packages (valid until midnight):. 20 MB: R 5. 60 MB: R 9.
100 MB: R 14. 250 MB: R 27. weekly p ackages (for 7 days):. 100 MB: R 17. 500 MB: R 59.
1 GB: R 79. fortnight p ackage (for 14 days):.
1 GB: R 99. monthly packages (for 30 days):.
Vodacom Contract 3-in-1 Sim
15 MB: R 10. 30 MB: R 12. 55 MB: R 25. 100 MB: R 29. 250 MB: R 63.
500 MB: R 100. 1 GB: R 149. 2 GB: R 249. 3 GB: R 299. 5 GB: R 399. 10 GB: R 599. 20 GB: R 999You can activate all these bundles on your Vodacom account or by typing.111# and follow the menu options.
Balance check is also available through.111#.Note that it can be cheaper to obtain a SIM, add only credit, and then add the data package via the Vodacom app or online. Vodacom is often running a “Personalised Double Your Data” promotion through its smartphone app, where subscribers are given double data at least on certain bundles. This promotion varies depending on the customer and day however and the bonus data is not fixed.More info. APN: internet. Website:.
T-mobile Activate Prepaid Sim
Pre-purchased SIM cards for a premium:MTNMTN is a multinational mobile phone company based in South Africa and the biggest rival of Vodacom. Its network and speeds are on par. MTN launched 4G/LTE in 2014 and covers 90% of population in 2018. MTN is the only provider that roams in Swaziland, if you should travel there.There are network tests like of MyBroadband.za that now show MTN in the lead what coverage and data speeds are concerned. At least the MTN network has been improved a lot during the last few years and now rivals with Vodacom for the top spot.AvailablilityMTN SIM cards are 4G/LTE enabled and available in all their stores and many supermarkets sometimes for as low as R 1.50, but usually R 5. It's easiest to complete the RICA registration in one of their stores.There is a MTN store in OR Tambo International Airport, on the right after leaving the baggage reclaim area.
In July 2016, it was R 63.5 for the SIM with R 60 credit, plus the price of the regular data bundle of your choice. They are used to tourists and will activate the SIM and data bundle for you. You will need your passport and a proof of accommodation.The prepaid SIM card is called PayAsYouGo. It offers multiple data plans and international bundles. By default the cards are activated with the 'Base Plan'. You can switch to the '79c/min price plan' officially called Pay Per Second (by dialing.141.4.4#) as it's their most competitive and simple price plan and cheaper in every aspect than the Base Plan.Reload vouchers are available at most retail stores and service stations. Common voucher denominations are R5, R10, R15, R30, R60 or R180.Their different prepaid tariff plans all charge between R 0.99 and R 2 per MB where no bundle is purchased or for overuse.
MTN offers a wide variety of data bundles, that normally don't renew.In March 2018 the heavily promoted Mass SIM card was launched. “South Africans now double-up their airtime and data bundles when recharging with MTN’s new Mass SIM for R 5 or more'. But there are catches attached to double airtime and data.
Once you’ve purchased an Add-on, you can use it immediately. The expiry period will begin from midnight AEST regardless of the country or time zone where you purchased it.If you’re roaming in a country that are in a time zone ahead of Australia, such as New Zealand, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa or Fiji, your Add-on will expire at midnight local time.If you’re roaming in a country that are in a time zone behind Australia, such as the UK, USA, China or Canada, your Add-on will expire at midnight AEST time.