Telkom Freeme Prepaid Bundles

Let's talk about Telkom's freeme prepaid bundles for a minute. Some time back, Telkom introduced a number of prepaid options called "freeme" plans on prepaid. The top-end of these was the 20gb bundle. It offered 20gb of data every month + 1500 minutes to ANY network + 500 minutes to telkom (mobile and fixed line) numbers. "Great deal", I thought and subsequently ported my number from Vodacom to Telkom mobile. I can't remember exactly how long ago it was, but it's definitely more than a year ago, probably closer to two years, I can't tell. Once I moved to Telkom I soon discovered the poor network quality. If I'm on the road, for example, and I take or make a call (hands-free, of course) it would frequently lose connectivity and drop the call. I would often lose signal altogether and sometimes it would "fail-over" to MTN. During this period they terminated their deal with MTN and jumped on Vodacom bandwagon. The signal issues were hardly any better with Vodacom. Outside of the Metropolitan areas, hopeless. It would be on Vodacom for periods on end. Then reception was terrible and mobile data almost non-existent. Sorry for me who was using data to navigate to a friend's wedding somewhere in Limpopo. Fortunately I was with other passengers who's connections were with the other networks and we arrived safely at our destination. Then there was a time last year when I spent almost a whole day without any connectivity. Still not sure what the problem was there.

Still, I patiently bore with Telkom because their deal made sense. It was still good value for money. NOW, they've decided to change their freeme plans. They've cancelled the 20gb prepaid plan and introduced a new 28gb. Better right? That's what you would think by just the name, 28gb. But a deeper look shows how much of a rip-off it is now. Firstly, and predictably, it costs MORE. The old 20gb was R589, then R599 and now this R28gb is R689!! You get: * 20GB All-network data (Valid for 61 days) * 4GB Data for WhatsApp * 4GB Data for Streaming * 1500 On-net calling (Telkom mobile & fixed calling, valid 31 days) * 500 Off-net calling (calls to other networks, valid 31 days) * 300 SMSs

Compare that to the OLD 20gb, R599. Using my memory since I couldn't find the details on telkom's site. They have the new rip-off bundles there now. But I'm SURE about the voice minutes. * 20GB All-network data (Valid for 61 days) * 4GB Data for WhatsApp * 4GB Data for Streaming * 500 On-net calling (Telkom mobile & fixed calling, valid 31 days) * 1500 Off-net calling (calls to other networks, valid 31 days) * ??? SMSs (who cares??) As you can tell, the main difference here is the minutes. Tell me, WHO KNOWS ENOUGH PEOPLE ON TELKOM TO FINISH 1500 minutes on them in a month? I don't even remember finishing 1500 on other networks.

In conclusion, Telkom has basically reduced their value proposition and increased their prices! Shameful indeed!!! For me, that was the great allure. That's why I bore with their incompetence since the deal was decent. Their agents are even worse, you call them and they're not only ***********, they give you the WRONG information altogether! This type of practice should be outlawed in SA. It's ************ and downright ********.