Hi I have heard that data costs are going to be extortionate (upto £8 per photo uploaded to Facebook) but I need to take my iPhone for it's satnav software (and to kill some time on the plane) so was wondering if I could get the GPS working without incurring any data costs? I can't unlock it as Im on contract and even though it's jail broken, there's no workaround as of yet! Also what is everyone doing regarding phones?
Was going to post about phones as well. Will my mobile (cell) phone work? Someone said you need tri-band phones, but I don't really know what that means!
go to your phone network provider's site, and there will invariably be a page about foreign travel, which countries their network covers etc, and how much it'll all cost. You should also have been sent a SIM card by FIFA with your ticket confirmation pack, which might help avoid expensive overseas charges for internet use etc.
I just bought a cheap phone from the Vodaphone shop at JNB airport. (149 ZAR) Just after baggage claim but before you enter the arrivals hall in the airport there are some young ladies who can hook you with with a free Vodaphone SIM, if you want (which means you don't need to buy it at the shop). Then it's pre-pay as you go. Just buy x amount of airtime at the shop, replenish at a shop as needed (or at lots of places around South Africa, you'll never want for a place to buy airtime). There are also special SMS plans (eg 49 ZAR for 150 SMS). A reminder: All incoming texts and calls are free in South Africa.
if your Iphone is unlocked, does that mean you can use it and not have to worry about the crazy roaming charges?
If your iPhone is unlocked, it means it will accept a SIM from another carrier, i.e. you could drop in an local MTN or Vodaphone SIM card in South Africa and make calls like any other South African (calls back home would be expebnsive, I imagine, but no roaming charges while in South Africa).
ahh, thanks zdog i think i understand. My iphone is unlocked, as I use a T-mobile SIM while most iphone users are on AT&T. So I'm still going to want to take otu my t-mobile sim card when i arrive there and use a MTN one. and I'll also be able to use the data functions? (internet,email)
bahtadd You'll need to buy a data plan from MTN (or Vodaphone). I am not sure what they cost; I am now in Northern Virginia (like you, I gather), heading back to Jozi later this week, so I unfortuantely can't check for you. Whatever the case, it will be WAY cheaper than roaming on a U.S. plan.
I am on pay as you go but I heard if you turn data roaming off and find yourself a wifi connection then you will be fine (no data roaming charges as you are connecting to free wi-fi) your hotel should have free wifi
sounds good. As I would like to share pics and emails with ppl during my trip. in Alexandria, va here
The data plans are fairly expensive. I'm following USA so I'll in and around JNB mostly. Does anyone know how easy it is to find a free wifi connection??? I would assume there are no starbucks and even if there are they probably charge. Also, if the available wifi that you typically find aren't open is there a standard password to connect (like admin)??
If your sat nav apps have the maps installed on the iphone then you don't need a data connection, so no costs involved. Assuming you have a UK contract from your post you can unlock your iphone while still in a contract, I know o2 do it for free, I did it a few weeks ago. Most hotels won't have free wifi, most of those that have it will charge.
World Cup Pubs There's an App for that Gutted just seen this App I wish it covered South Africa it shows pubs and bars showing games and offers http://bit.ly/bqeAla still would cost a lot to use out there
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BRING YOUR UNLOCKED PHONE, Blackberry or IPHONE and VODA or MTN GIVE YOU A NICE SIM CARD AND YOUR SET! JUST PAY DIRT CHEAP FOR UNLIMITED DATA FOR A MONTH PAY AS YOU GO! I read it was 59R for a month unlimited DATA. Plus minutes and stuff like that. ITS AWESOME!
DONT EVEN THINK OF TURNING ON THE DATA WHEN IN SA. ROAMING DATA is KILLER! THEY WILL CHARGE $50 a MB of DATA IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!
No need to SHOUT Where can you get unlimited data for a month for R59? Both MTN and Vodacom seem to sell bundles of a fixed amount of data ranging from about R0.2 to R1 per MB. http://www.mtn.co.za/MTNServices/broadband/mtnbroadband/Pages/options.aspx#Bundles http://vodacom.co.za/portal/site/vo...extfmt=format6&selected=4_c2&ciFormat=format6
The lonelyplanet app for Johannesburg and Cape Town have been reduced to £1.89 or $2.99 with the World Cup approaching.Normally £9.99 at least. For iPhone.