Data bundles and customer service

I have been using Cell C for the past year.

I have not had any issues and considered their data prices fairly decent compared to other device providers. I have however, for the past two to three weeks been experiencing problems with the network. Specifically the data bundles and internet usage. WhatsApp bundle has not had any issues.

For the past two to three weeks I have been purchasing data bundles(750megabytes anytime data and 1gig free night data). Each and every time I would try to do an internet search , the page does not load and says to check internet connectivity/data. The result being that I have no usage of my anytime data since nothing works. Within two to three days after recharging with the data bundles I receive an SMS saying that I have less than 1mb remaining. Yesterday I once again tried doing a Google search and the page did not load(same issue as mentioned above) and since I was extremely busy, did not pay any attention to it further. I checked my balance which only reflected night data. I checked my sms's and realized that I had recharged with 750mbs and 1gig night on Saturday the 27th July 2019 at around 20:00 last, when further checking sms's I saw an SMS on Monday 29th July at around 13:00 stating I have less than 1mb remaining. This is when I looked back and realized that I have been purchasing data over the past two/three weeks and received no use of it , yet it has been running out.

I contacted the customer service on 135 and during the "machine" stated I have 4.41 GBS of data. Since I did a balance check earlier and there was no data balance besides the night data I knew this was incorrect. I stayed on the line to speak to a consultant. When enquiring about my anytime data balance I was informed I don't have any data. I accept this.

I informed the consultant that I have been experiencing the issues as mentioned above, he informed me that I may have to turn off my automatic updates. I informed him that this was not the issue since mine is turned off and only updates on WiFi. Furthermore I informed him that I last recharged on Saturday 27th July and received an SMS on Monday that I had 1mb remaining and could not understand since I have not had use of the data. His response was that I last bought data on the 22nd of July. I had bought on the 22nd but definitely bought of the 27th July as well. He informed me it cannot be possible since there system is accurate. I disagreed since I had bought the data on the 27th. I requested a solution. The solution was that I should buy data again and monitor the situation and inform them should there be issues. I thought that this was what I was doing by making the call.

I informed the consultant that I cannot see how I could purchase data and get no use out of it. His was not a solution. I am not sure of the name of the consultant. I did not find him rude, but neither was he helpful. I did however get the impression that my problem was an inconvenience to him.

I hope that Cell C sorts out this issue as soon as possible. I have spoken to others and I am not the only one experiencing this issue. As I mentioned to the consultant ,I don't think that purchasing more data which cannot be used is a solution. I do think that should this problem persist , I will switch to a different network.

Please sort out this issue as soon as possible and try and assist your clients with solving their problems instead of requesting them to monitor the situation. We would not call if we have not already picked up an issue.

*Ironically I bought data just to write this review and the internet seems to be working for the first time in the past two/three weeks.