Hey guys,
Many of you missed out on the last popular deal, so we managed to secure some more stock. Be quick though, only 200 of both SIMs in stock. Anyways once again Mobileciti are offering 50% off the already discounted price of Belong $40 and Vodafone $30 starter packs. Please apply coupon code PREPAID50 at checkout. Limited to 2 per customer. Thank you :)
Hi ShouldIBuyIt,
Normally voda sim has no expiry date, to be safe please activate within 12 months, for your case of early March it is definately ok. Thanks
Thanks, got one of each cause I couldn't decide which one to pick…
No worries, thanks for your order :)
So only for new customer right?
Hi welcomeUniverseWorld,
Yes the starter kits are for new customers to port their number in or select a new number. Thanks
I do not recommend "Belong", because all of their 'infrastructure' systems seem to be broken. I bought a SIM/starter pack a couple of days ago, attempted to activate it via my mobile as instructed approximately 5 times over the course of 24 hours, and every time it was an epic fail (the app simply fails at a crucial point and just perpetually reports that it is 'loading'). Methinks this is why their app is currently rated 1.9/5.0. I have to ask 'Belong', why would you take a hopelessly dysfunctional 'service' like this to market, when it is clearly going to alienate a huge proportion of potential users before it even gets off the ground?
I emailed the ironically named 'Belong' about this, and this was their response, word-for-word:
'Hi xxxxxx,
We appreciate you have reached us regarding the activation of your SIM and we're happy to assist.
…
We understand that you are having issues with the mobile app if the device you are using is Android.We are working to have this rectified. Our technical team is working on it.
They are currently doing a system update that is why the app sometimes doesn't work. No worries, we will take this request as feedback to help us improve our service next time.
Thanks for your understanding.
Cheers,
The Belong Mobile Team
So yeah, at the moment their 'systems'/customer-service (etc.?) are clearly a bit of a joke.
Why use the app, never had a problem with the website?
The instructions that come with the 'Belong' SIM erm 'instruct' you to use the app 'on your mobile device', so that's what I did. To absolutely no avail (that app is terminally broken). I did subsequently try their website. 'Going through the motions' everything seemed OK, yet my SIM is still not activated … again, as the above email from 'Belong' clearly demonstrates, they have evidently knowingly launched a 'service' (or lack thereof) onto the Australian market before it is actually ready to compete with other platforms already operating in this market, which unlike their service, actually work. It is simply bizarre that 'Belong' would make such an unwise decision.
My advice would be to avoid 'Belong' for a year or two while they 'sort their sh** out', then if they are still around in a couple of years in Australia, see what the reviews are looking like, and try them if they have managed to improve on 1.9/5.0.
I've been with them for 15months. Haven't paid more than a starter pack cost till this point. I personally want them to live on and continue to provide competitive pricing in the market!
Telstra on a reseller network has been great for me. I rate it over Optus n Voda for Melbourne CBD.
@chinezejew: Have tried the website, process completed but SIM still not activated. I just kapt trying the app on moby every few hours for a laugh… I could not quite believe that they would launch such a dysfunctional app as that…
@GnarlyKnuckles: Agree that the sign up is difficult sometimes. So yes you are quite right to protest and move on somewhere else.
In the past they seem to fix it after a day or so, yep not good, just letting you know in case you want to persevere.
Apart from sign up, as you have said, its been good for me.
Cheers
@RockyRaccoon: OK rocks, based on your seasoned advice I will persevere for another couple of days/see if they activate the SIM. Cheers mate. Thanks for your advice also CJ.
@GnarlyKnuckles: It could have been my phone, but the Belong SIM was temperamental for me during the first few weeks. Since I'm using Kogan for data in a not working as dual SIM 2g/4g dual SIM phone, the Belong SIM is normally turned off and I had to reset the phone to avoid getting cut off from the network completely. Once you activate the SIM you also need to put it into a phone to access account settings. Makes data hacking less convenient than desired.
And yes, the Android app had issues even last month, though maybe not as bad as today.
I had issues activating Belong mobile and had to open a support request so they gave me an extra 15GB which at market prices is worth $10 to $15. I'm happy.
I understand the frustration. However, compared to Tel$tra, where I simply could not activate a SIM online and have it linked to my current Tel$tra account if I wanted to port a number in. The online form would validate all my details fine and simply failed at the last step all the time.
So, I had to call Tel$tra every time and explain all that to the CSR (port a number in, have it linked to my existing account). The CSR often tries to sell me / entice me to their prepaid plus plan. Once, after I told them I want a different plan, and the CSR acknowledged it, that CSR still activated my SIM on prepaid plus. Then, when I called and asked, the CSR acknowledged the mistake and said I could simply change plan on the next billing cycle.
Voda has quirks too. If you want to port a number to Voda, it is faster to call. online is slower. The only provider that seems to offer decent online activation is Optus (that's my experience). Also, regardless of which providers you pick, you simply cannot port a number to another provider and back within 24 hours.
It's the ones which ask for 1 month notice before cancellation (despite being so called "contract free") and charging port out fees (despite already charged a fee for the SIM initially) are nasty ones.
Website had problems for over 24hours with porting when I tried. Also support website was down could not contact them about it.
I did manage to get connected eventually…
Lol.
If you need to use your phone I recommend using the browser to activate.
But do it via PC. Don't forget to use a promo code for an additional 2months.
What is this promo you speak of?
I sent you a personal message to explain it. click the bell icon at the top of the webpage to view it.
@i7-2600k: Unfortunately being totally frank would be against Ozbargain rules. It would cause his comment to be deleted.
He was honest. It was a message explaining it, probably along with his referral code. Where is the dishonesty? Do you need to state that I'm selling at this price because that's my cost plus margin. Do I have to tell the customer they can get it cheaper elsewhere? That would be foolish. I guess that may be a sticking point, the word "customer".
at $10/month, you would expect some corners needs to be cut……..
TBH even the "full price" carriers ain't that much better on most days.
disclosure: I don't work for Belong, but are thinking about churning to them
Do boda still have that 365 days plan? Is this $30 sufficient?
365 plus
How long do we have to activate with Belong?
1 year
It might TAKE YOU 1 year to 'activate' your SIM with 'Belong…
How many times have you tried using the app?
I tried every 4 or 5 hours over the course of about 24 hours. The 'Belong app' ratings confirm that these guys need to go all the way back to the 'drawing board' with their app. I am beginning to suspect they actually HAVE NO ANDROID app?!? LOL.
Maybe just some sort of 'Apple functionality' (see email in above post)…
@GnarlyKnuckles: You keep blaming the app yet in reality you probably have no idea what the fault is. It could possibly be any number of things. When everyone complains about the app not working, then your argument might hold water.
@Skinnerr: As I said, the app is rated 1.9/5.0. Everyone complains that it does not work. Note also that 'Belong' wrote to me and specifically acknowledged that their app is not working ('on android devices'). So I now exactly what the problem is.
use the website!
Haven't received the Sim card bought on Monday from last deal，in NSW. wait for next Monday.
@lyl Thanks for the great deal! Bought one.
How long is the expiry date for the Belong Starter Kit, is it definitely valid for 1 year?
Hi babiguling,
Thanks for your order. The expiry for this current batch of Belong SIMs is at the end of this year.
How do these starter packs work? no explanation of how much data you get per month.
Take for example the Vodafone $30 for $7.50 + Free Delivery:
1) how much data you get per month here?
2) do you go on to pay $7.50 after the first month?
I'm guessing people stop the auto-renewal and just pay for the discounted first month. So people stock up on these SIMS. what a hassle to port in after each month!
As an update to the Belong SIM I would like to show the process I am using with 6 of these to build up enough data for two SIM for our situation, which was to get 2 SIM cards (for ported numbers X and Y) with reasonable data for 1-2 years, as well as porting number Z which is not used apart from calls for 4 months.
YMMV
Result:
Cost of 9x $40 SIM (I bought for $90, but here the cost would be $81)
X and Y paid up until July with 94GB data each, then $10 per month
Z paid up until May with no data, then $10 per month
On a non-billing date, business day for better porting (see whirlpool wiki)
1. SIM1 - Port X number to Belong, with Referral code from OZB, get $20 credit
2. SIM1 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal
3. Get referral code from SIM1 in the Belong account
6. SIM2 - Port Y with Referral code from X
7. SIM2 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal
4. SIM3 - Port Z number to Belong, with Referral code from Y, get $20 credit for both
5. SIM3 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal
8. Update X referral on OZB system
9. SIM3 - gift 7GB to X, Y
10. SIM4 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal, X referral, gift 15GB to X
11. SIM5 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal, Y referral, gift 15GB to Y
12. SIM6 - Activate on $40, get 15GB, use paypal, X referral, gift 7GB to X, 7GB to Y, 1GB to Z
X - $100 credit, 44GB
Y - $100 credit, 44GB
Z - $80 credit, 2GB
SIM4 - $60 credit, 0GB
SIM5 - $60 credit, 0GB
SIM6 - $60 credit, 0GB
(billing date for SIM1-6)
X - $60 credit, 59GB
Y - $60 credit, 59GB
Z - $40 credit, 17GB
SIM4 - $40 credit, 15GB
SIM5 - $40 credit, 15GB
SIM6 - $40 credit, 15GB
Z - gift 7GB to Y, 8GB to X, change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
SIM4 - gift 15GB to X, change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
SIM5 - gift 15GB to Y, change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
SIM6 - gift 8GB to Y, 7GB to X, change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
X - change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
Y - change to $10 plan for next billing cycle
X - ($50 credit, $0 due Next bill, 89GB) - paid up to Billing date Jul
Y - ($50 credit, $0 due Next bill, 89GB) - paid up to Billing date Jul
Z - ($30 credit, $0 due Next bill, 2GB) - paid up to Billing date May, get to 4GB Billing date May
SIM4 - $20 credit, 0GB ($10 credit, $0 due Next bill, 0GB) - paid up to Billing date Mar, get to 2GB Billing date Mar then cancel
SIM5 - $20 credit, 0GB ($10 credit, $0 due Next bill, 0GB) - paid up to Billing date Mar, get to 2GB Billing date Mar then cancel
SIM6 - $20 credit, 0GB ($10 credit, $0 due Next bill, 0GB) - paid up to Billing date Mar, get to 2GB Billing date Mar then cancel
Cost of 9x $40 SIM (I bought for $90, but here the cost would be $81)
How do you buy 9 of these with this deal for $81?
I didn't, but this deal has them for $13.50 each. 6 would be $81, although you would have to do multiple orders I guess.
Anyhow, it cost me $90 for 6 using the $15 deal from Coles
So it was 6x$40 SIM, not 9.
@netsurfer: Yes, sorry just saw my typo./ 6 SIM, to use 3 long term. LOL, anyhow 9 would have done my head in…
Just a heads up for those that will need to cancel the service(s) at some time before billing.
The method of cancellation is not obvious or straightforward, and you need to do it through a support request (available in the app, possibly on the website as well).
According to reports on whirlpool, cancellation request should be done at least 4 business days before the billing date to avoid being charged, and probably revoke the Paypal authority around this time as well.
The Belong support contact number is not easy to find but is 1300 BELONG (1300 235 664 which is listed for Belong broadband), or raise a support request online when logged in at https://www.belong.com.au/support/raise-support-request
*I have enough people in my household for one SIM per person, within the Belong t&c
Just port out..
Can you cancel it straight away? Lets say after you've set up 12 months of credit through referrals and have banked 120GB or so for use over the next 12 months. Can you cancel straight away through Paypal? They don't cut off your service right?
I dont trust myself to remember to cancel in the 12th month so if it's possible to do this in the 1st month without having service cut off I'd rather do this.
Hi zah,
You can cancel the automatic payment in paypal settings, your service won't get cut off as long as you have enough credit. Thanks
Many thanks for clarifying.
yes, why need to cancel service for instead of port out?
Belong can't let you remove credit/debit cards? can't disable auto recharge?
I think i’ve made it right from the last deal, now paying $135 for 20mo with about 13gb per month…
Do you have any more of the Vodafone SIMs for this price?
Hi its4me,
Sorry unfortunately this deal is over, however stay tuned as we will try our best to bring you more deals in the future. Thanks
check ebay, i picked up a $40 for $6.
Do you have a link?
x2 of Belong and 3 of Voda that's 12 months…
Just to let you guys know, the SIM I received from Mobileciti was not sealed (already opened). I've purchased brand new items from them before (phones) and had no issue - they weren't opened. However, I am surprised they sent me an opened SIM.
Hi netsurfer,
Not sure what you mean by the SIM card not sealed or already opened, my understanding is that all the SIMs do not come with a plastic seal.
If you have any issues with activating the sim or any other concerns please PM the order details with your issues and I'll have a look and resolve. Thanks
Just in case other people read this later on.
The info I received from Mobileciti was that they had to load the credits to the SIM cards. I then looked at the Belong SIM package more carefully, it did state:
SIM has no value until loaded at purchase.
Loaded credit will expire 12 months after purchase.
This one basically is different to the one I bought before (from another retailer). That one had $40 pre-loaded already. Also, activate the SIM within 12 months to be safe (due to the statement: Loaded credit will expire 12 months after purchase).
auspost do the same
@shadowangel: I must have bought a very old pack before then (from AusPost) - 2017 batch. They didn't need to load it.
Vodafone SIM doesn't expire right? Need to port IN only early March…