http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/roaming/partner_list.jsp

In areas where there is no 3G coverage yet, handsets and devices will allow you to make voice calls and switch to GPRS for data services.

To find out more about 3G, please contact Smartcom Customer Care on (011) 507 4650 where one of our consultants will be able to assist you.

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• What is Data Messenger Plus?
  
  Data Messenger Plus is a data only package, which includes a free data card on a 24 month contract. Data Messenger Plus will consist of an inclusive 40MB data bundle which will accommodate low volume users.
  
  
• What Tariffs apply to Data Messenger Plus?
  
  Note: All tariffs below are inclusive of VAT.
  
  

  Connection Fee	R97.00
  Monthly subscription fee	R85.00
  Inclusive data	40MB
  Effective in-bundle rate	R2.13 per MB
  MMS (All day)	R0.80
  Out-of-bundle rate	R2.00 per MB
  SMS Peak	R0.22
  SMS Off-Peak	R0.22
  International SMS	R1.74

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Is Data Messenger Plus available on a month to month contract?
  
  No
  
  
• Will I be able to migrate to / from Data Messenger Plus?
  
  Yes...the general migration business rules will be applicable to Data Messenger Plus.
  
  
• Will I be able to carry over any unused data?
  
  No...there will be no carry over of unused data, i.e. any data not used in the month will be forfeited.
  
  
• Will I be able to purchase additional data one the monthly allowance of 40MB has been depleted?
  
  Yes...you will be able to purchase bolt-on and ad-hoc data bundles. Data usage in excess of bundled data will be charged at the current out-of-bundle rate.
  
  
• Who does the new data tariffs apply to?
  
  The new data tariffs will apply to all contract data customers and customers with ad-hoc / recurring bolt-on data bundles.
  
  
• What do I need to qualify for new data tariffs?
  
  The new tariffs will automatically apply to all current and new data customers, therefore you are not required to do anything to qualify for the reduced rates.
  
  
• Can I migrate between any of the data packages as per normal data migration rules?
  
  Yes
  
  
• What will happen when I have depleted my data bundle?
  
  Once your data bundle is depleted, the out-of-bundle rate specific to your tariff package will apply or you can purchase ad-hoc data bundles.
  
  
• Who should I contact in the event of a query or if I require assistance?
  
  Should you require further information, please contact Vodacom Customer Services on 082 111 (free from your Vodacom cellphone), or visit our website on www.vodacom.co.za. However, if your enquiry is related to our data / internet service, contact our specialised dedicated data call centre on 082 155.
  
  
• Can I carry over any of my unused data bundles?
  
  No

• What devices are available for data usage over the Vodacom network?
  
  
  
  • Mobile handset (e.g. cell phone), PDA or other mobile devices
  • Data card and Embedded data card (the card resides in a PC / Laptop or mobile device)
  • USB Modem (can be used with all standard PCs and Laptops that have USB ports)
  
  
• What is meant by data usage?
  
  Data usage will include any information automatically sent or received to your cell phone, PDA, laptop or telemetry device over the Vodacom network.
  
  
• What happens when my bundle is depleted?
  
  When data usage exceeds the appropriate bundle, this usage will be rated at the out of bundle charge.
  
  
• How will Vodacom calculate and charge data?
  
  Your data usage will be billed based on the amount of data (kilobytes) which is sent from the PC / Laptop or mobile device to the Internet or any other network, OR received by your PC / Laptop or mobile device from the Internet or any other network. For example, every time you visit a website, OR when you send or receive emails, Vodacom will calculate the amount of data (kilobytes) sent and received. The amount of data will then be multiplied by the appropriate tariff rate (e.g. R1.80 per Megabyte). Most data contracts include a monthly data bundle (for example 500 MB).
  
  
• Does it matter how long I stay connected to the Internet?
  
  No! You are billed based on the amount of data which is sent / received by your PC/Laptop or mobile device, and not the length of time that you stay connected to the Internet / email or any other network. In other words, for some periods - you may not incur ANY charges when connected, but similarly - you may incur high charges when sending / receiving LARGE amounts of data within a few seconds / minutes.
  
  
• What RISK is involved when I connect to the Internet?
  
  When your PC / Laptop is connected to the Internet or any other network (via the data card), your PC / Laptop or mobile device can send or receive large amounts of data / information within a very short period of time - without you even knowing about it! This is normally caused by the following:
  
  
  • Malware (or Malicious Software) - is intrusive, or annoying software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system. Types of Malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spy ware, ad ware, and other malicious and unwanted software.
  • Computer Virus - is a self-replicating computer program written to alter the way a computer operates without the permission or knowledge of the user. A virus can replicate and execute itself, and spread by replacing existing executable files with a virus-infected copy on PC / Laptop and other mobile devices.
  • A Zombie Computer - is a computer connected to the Internet that has been taken over by some form of Malware or virus. Infected computers can be a major delivery method of spam emails to your PC / Laptop or mobile device on the Internet.
  • E-mail viruses - are spread via e-mail. These viruses often copy themselves by automatically mailing copies to hundreds of people in the victim's address book.
  • Trojan Horses - are impostor files that claim to be something required but are actually malicious. Unlike a virus, a Trojan horse does not modify an existing applications code; it actually appears to do one thing but does something entirely different, like opening a "back door" on your computer, or delete files and documents. A Trojan horse must be invited onto a computer by the user through things like opening an email attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet.
  • Worms - are software that uses networks and security flaws to duplicate itself. It scans the network for any other computer that has a specific security flaw. It replicates itself to the new machine using the security flaw, and then begins scanning and replicating again.
  • Spy ware - is software that collects personal information about a user of a computer without their knowledge. There are many forms of spy ware, and they are used for things like logging keystrokes, monitoring web browsing history, and scanning documents on the computer.
  • Peer to Peer - File sharing programs can contribute greatly to your usage. These programs are commonly used for downloading copyrighted material such as music and movies from the Internet and other networks. This can contribute greatly to your download quota very rapidly.
  • VoIP (Voice over IP) - also contribute to your download quota. A VoIP voice call, for example, can consume kilobytes of data per second that can result in large amounts of data being used per hour. A 32k/s VoIP call can result in 11,5 megabytes of data being used per hour. Over time this can have a significant impact on your download quota.
  • Radio and video streaming - can consume your download quota easily without you even realizing it. One hour of a typical low quality video streamed from the Internet to your computer can use almost 200 MB of quota. If you have a 1GB bundle, this is 1/5th of your entire monthly limit used up in an hour!
  
  
• Will I be liable for unintended data usage via my data card or USB modem (for example, viruses, etc)?
  
  Yes it is your responsibility to protect your PC / Laptop or mobile device against unintended data usage when connected to the Internet via your data card or USB modem. It is advisable to consult an IT technician to explain the various protective measures available to you.
  
  
• How can I manage / monitor my data usage?
  
  
  • Do not leave your laptop connected to the Internet (or any other network that is actively sending and receiving data) when you do not require to be connected.
  • Ensure that you have sufficient protective measures against viruses, spy ware, etc, loaded on your PC / Laptop or mobile device.
  • Be careful when listening to music, or watching / downloading movies over the Internet, since content normally contain large amounts of data.
  • Protect your PC / Laptop or mobile device against unauthorized usage and access via wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and WiFi.
  • Protect your PC / Laptop or mobile device against unauthorized usage and access from individuals such as children, colleagues, family members and friends. Protect the access to your PC / Laptop by frequently (once a month) changing your password to access your PC / Laptop.
  • To find out how much data you have used or how much is available on your current data bundle:
    • Log on to www.smartcomonline.co.za (using your data card, USB modem or cell phone cell number) and go to My Account.
    • SMS the letters MM to 31050 from the Vodafone mobile connect software (free).
  • Click on the usage button on the Vodafone mobile connect software - as an indication of data usage. Note that this may not always be 100% accurate due to various technical reasons.
  
  PS: Smartcom will not accept any responsibility or liability for inaccurate indications of data usage in the software and many possible discrepancies between the usage counter and actual data usage that the customer will be billed for.

If your question is not covered, please contact us directly.