Why does Vodacom use my airtime when out of data?

Data is a commodity, different from other commodities like Airtime and Talking Points.

You're downloading files using a data bundle, turn your back on your phone and, in the meantime, you're running out of data.

You return, pick up your phone and find that whatever airtime you had is depleted as you have been charged out of bundle rates (to continue the download).

Surely, if Vodacom can take your airtime in this case, why don't they extend this behaviour to all other commodities like Talking Points, and bankrupt you completely?

There is something fishy and ********* about this and the lack of vigilance on the subscriber's part (to babysit their downloads) must contribute significanty to Vodacom's bottom line, especially with the explosion of data usage of late.

I've been with Vodacom for at least five years and must have lost thousands of rands as a result of this, let alone the inconvenience associated with having to replenish your airtime.

Last time I was with MTN, they stopped the download when out of bundle, recognising the distinctions between the commodities, leaving the subscriber the choice as to how to use their primary commodity, airtime.

Afterall, when you buy a data bundle, you're not only doing it to surf cheaper, you indirectly indicate to the network that that is the commodity you want to use for that purpose.