Data Bundle Validity Extension (Roll-over) on Vodacom SA and MTN SA - How does it work?

Yip, they didn't make data roll-over simple and easy...

Vodacom

On Vodacom, the validity of a data bundle can be extended by purchasing another bundle of the same size & validity before the existing bundle is depleted or expired. This applies to prepaid and contract SIMs. 

A bundle of the same size and price is required to extend a bundle that is currently active on the SIM. Customers can extend their bundle numerous times as long as there is still some data remaining and the bundle has not expired.

How does SIMcontrol assist with data bundle validity extension? 

SIMcontrol takes into account when a data bundle loaded by a SIMcontrol usage rule will expire and pre-empts the expiry by loading the new bundle a few hours earlier (before midnight) to trigger an extension of any unused data. The data bundle validity is extended to the same period as the new bundle (typically another 30 days).

This also ensures that there is no period without data between data expiry and the next recharge.

Important: This feature only works on data bundles that are loaded by by SIMcontrol though Usage Rules. Manual recharges and Scheduled recharges are not taken into account.  

This feature is enabled by default on all Vodacom SA usage rules.  This feature will not work on SIMs that are manually recharged. Contact the support team if you would like to disable this functionality on a specific rule. 

Example: 

• SIMcontrol loads a 30MB bundle on 15th of the month
• 29 days later, the balance remaining is 10MB
• SIMcontrol loads the next 30MB bundle (as per the recharge rule) a few hours before it expires
• This allows the remaining 10MB to be carried over for another 30 days
• The SIM balance is now 40MB (10MB +30MB)

There are some conditions: 

- The Recharge Rule which is managing the SIM must have a remaining recharge count for the month (i.e. 2 out of 3 recharges allowed per month). This means we will never recharge a SIM if the rule does not allow it.

- Your account has to be funded to ensure recharges can be processed.

- This functionality does not apply to manual recharges. Only to recharges automatically done by a rule. 

- If you change the bundle size on a Rule, Vodacom will not extend validity on previous bundle that is not the exact same bundle size. 

- The function can not be guaranteed - subject to network conditions. 

MTN

On MTN, as with Vodacom, the validity of a data bundle can be extended by purchasing another bundle of the same size & validity before the existing bundle is depleted or expired. 

A bundle of the same size and price is required to extend a bundle that is currently active on the SIM. Customers can extend their bundle numerous times as long as there is still some data remaining and the bundle has not expired.

How does SIMcontrol assist with data bundle validity extension? 

SIMcontrol takes into account when a data bundle loaded by a SIMcontrol usage rule will expire and pre-empts the expiry by loading the new bundle a few hours earlier (before midnight) to trigger an extension of any unused data. The data bundle validity is extended to the same period as the new bundle (typically another 30 days).

This also ensures that there is no period without data between data expiry and the next recharge.

Important: This feature only works on data bundles that are loaded by by SIMcontrol though Usage Rules. Manual recharges and Scheduled recharges are not taken into account.  

This feature is enabled by default on all MTN SA Usage rules. This feature will not work on SIMs that are manually recharged. Contact the support team if you would like to disable this functionality on a specific rule. 

• SIMcontrol loads a 30MB bundle on 15th of the month
• 29 days later, the balance remaining is 10MB
• SIMcontrol loads the next 30MB bundle (as per the recharge rule) a few hours before it expires
• This allows the remaining 10MB to be carried over for another 30 days
• The SIM balance is now 40MB (10MB +30MB)

MTN T&C's: https://www.mtn.co.za/Pages/Termsandconditions.aspx?pageid=872

6. Carry Over Rules

6.1. A customer may extend the validity period of a Once-Off Internet Bundle by purchasing another bundle of the same type and validity.

6.1.1. The additional bundle must be purchased prior to expiry of the existing bundle.

6.1.2. Where a Customer loads a qualifying data bundle i.e. same bundle type and validity period (any denomination), the remaining data in the customers bundle will adopt the validity period of the new bundle and will therefore be subject to the new expiry date.

6.2. MTN PayAsYouGo customers with numerous Recurring Internet Bundles may carry over a maximum of 2 (two) times the value of their Recurring Internet Bundle value.

Depletion Rules

9.2 The depletion order of the value is as follows:

9.2.4 Promotional or free value;

9.2.5 Loyalty bundles;

9.2.6 Paid for bundles;

 9.1.3.1 Earliest expiry first ;

 9.1.3.2 Once-Off bundles;

 9.1.3.3 Recurring bundles;

9.2.7 Post-paid Inclusive Value;

9.2.8 Usage Limit; and

9.2.9 Airtime.

Tags: Rollover, Bundle Rollover, Bundle Expiry, Roll over