Prepay mobile broadband

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Prepay mobile broadband

stevonz

397 posts

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#73390 13-Dec-2010 15:50

I've been making regular trips back to NZ this past year ince my Dad has terminal cancer...

On my last trip rather than purchasing the in-hotel data service, I picked up a vodafone mobile broadband pack which came with a dongle, SIM & I think 2GB data.

I rang 777 this weekend when I was over again to purchase some more data, they said I already had a $30 credit there, but I added another $30 too. I had some issues where the CSR put me oin a casual plan & the entire $60 was gobbled up in no time. I called back and got back on the BBsurfer plan $30 for 512MB.

Again I added another $30 just in case I went over... this is where it gets funky. When I called, they said they couldn't add a new 512MB until the current data was depleted. Thought that was a bit strange...

When I started to receive text messages, I attempted to TXT back the code BUYTOPUP512, but couldn't get this to activate. TXT messages back stating unable to process... (assumed I still had 10 of my 512MB left, as per TXT message received). When I check my balance the additional $30 I purchased has been swallowed up by casual usage rates again! WTF vodafone??

I'm back in Aussie now, flew out on the early flight today. But could I get an explanation of how I can top-up this prepay without getting shafted by these casual data rates please?

I found the process of TXTing BUY BBSURFER & BUYTOPUP512 very confusing when the CSR was explaining it to me.

Cheers, Stevo

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19282 posts

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Inactive user

#416586 13-Dec-2010 15:52

Register the MSISDN on the www.vodafone.co.nz (just not today)

Your login will be the email address you register with

stevonz

397 posts

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#416589 13-Dec-2010 15:56

johnr: Register the MSISDN on the www.vodafone.co.nz (just not today)

Your login will be the email address you register with

WHY? What will this do for me? I created an online account already with the CSR over the weekend. they informed me I just had to TXT the code BUYTOPUP512... where has the process broken down?

Cheers, Stevo

wongtop

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

#416598 13-Dec-2010 16:08

You should be able to buy an extra 512 before the original 512 is used up. When you buy the extra 512, the extra is used before the original.

Also if you are leaving the country you probably should cancel BBSURFER before you leave, or else it will autorenew and gobble up $30 every month.

IMO the telecom equivalent would work better for your usage, $0.10/MB to 300MB then the next 200MB free each calander month - if you go over the 500MB its rinse and repeat (i.e. $0.10/MB for 300 then 200 free) over 1gig it will be $0.10/MB

Then when you went back home you wouldn't have to remember to cancel anything as no use = no charge.

pwner

423 posts

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2degrees

#416602 13-Dec-2010 16:14

Where are you when in NZ? If in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch you can get a 2degrees prepay stick and load it up with bundles from $6 all the way up to $150 12Gig pack that wont expire for 180 days!

you can also buy multiple packs any time you want

Any posts are personal comments and not that of my employer

stevonz

397 posts

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#416613 13-Dec-2010 16:40

pwner: Where are you when in NZ? If in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch you can get a 2degrees prepay stick and load it up with bundles from $6 all the way up to $150 12Gig pack that wont expire for 180 days!

you can also buy multiple packs any time you want

Christchurch... do I need to buy anoither stick? I just forked out the vodafone stick...

Cheers, Stevo

pwner

423 posts

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2degrees

#416615 13-Dec-2010 16:41

stevonz:
pwner: Where are you when in NZ? If in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch you can get a 2degrees prepay stick and load it up with bundles from $6 all the way up to $150 12Gig pack that wont expire for 180 days!

you can also buy multiple packs any time you want

Christchurch... do I need to buy anoither stick? I just forked out the vodafone stick...

you should be able to throw in the 2degrees SIM and make a few minor configuration changes in the software to get it working fine.

Any posts are personal comments and not that of my employer

stevonz

397 posts

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#416616 13-Dec-2010 16:45

Just checked the 2 degrees prepay mobile data plans. They're much the same as AU vodafone, I don't understnd why NZ vodafones model is soo crap.

Thanks

Cheers, Stevo

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wongtop

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

#416617 13-Dec-2010 16:46

pwner:
stevonz:
pwner: Where are you when in NZ? If in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch you can get a 2degrees prepay stick and load it up with bundles from $6 all the way up to $150 12Gig pack that wont expire for 180 days!

you can also buy multiple packs any time you want

Christchurch... do I need to buy anoither stick? I just forked out the vodafone stick...

you should be able to throw in the 2degrees SIM and make a few minor configuration changes in the software to get it working fine.

Theoretically that is the case as no devices sold in NZ are SIM locked. However getting a 2degrees SIM working with the vodafone software on the stick is reportedly a PITA.

2degrees are selling sticks with 3Gigs of included data for $69 so my advice would be to save yourself some hassle and go that route.

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#416620 13-Dec-2010 16:50

stevonz:
johnr: Register the MSISDN on the www.vodafone.co.nz (just not today)

Your login will be the email address you register with

WHY?? What will this do for me?? I created an online account already?with the CSR over the weekend.? they informed me I just had to TXT the code BUYTOPUP512...? where has the process broken down?

If you created a online account you can login and manage everything online and also view the remaining data bundle

John

stevonz

397 posts

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#416625 13-Dec-2010 17:03

Thanks John. Doesn't explain why the TXT process doesn't work. When can you actually top-up? Do you need to disconnect from the 3G service while topping up?

Cheers, Stevo

johnr

19282 posts

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#416626 13-Dec-2010 17:05

stevonz: Thanks John. Doesn't explain why the TXT process doesn't work. When can you actually top-up? Do you need to disconnect from the 3G service while topping up?

Nope you can send / receive SMS while in a 2G/3G packet switch session

wongtop

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

#416628 13-Dec-2010 17:21

stevonz: Thanks John. Doesn't explain why the TXT process doesn't work. When can you actually top-up? Do you need to disconnect from the 3G service while topping up?

Vodafone have a confusing lot of numbers to text to. For broadband the number is 756. You should also get a text back asking you to confirm to which you have to reply yes, then you will get a congratulatory message. If you didn't go through this process, then the addon probably wasn't activated by text.

johnr

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#416634 13-Dec-2010 17:24

Good point what number were you sending the SMS to?

stevonz

397 posts

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#416655 13-Dec-2010 18:07

756 the texts were getting thru, and I received texts back stating that the add-on was not allowed (or something similar). I'll copy in the exact text when I'm home - still at work. Very long day...

Cheers, Stevo

dannywii

71 posts

Master Geek

#416926 14-Dec-2010 09:50

never trust vodafone customer service

why dont u give 2degree a try

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