My travel data hack + hello from China
Tech Things #48
I found myself stranded on the Dubai runway with no data this week and out of pure frustration, did the impossible: got connected in the middle of nowhere. We took a bus from boarding gate to plane to catch a flight to China, but after an unusually long ride ending next to the VIP terminal used by the UAE Royal family, (spotted their Royal jet next to our Boeing 777), we were subjected to a 1.5 hour delay. With no airport WiFi or access to the Airalo travel eSIM app, I got fidgety.
As a Vodacom prepaid customer, I can access the network abroad to receive SMSes (through its roaming partners) so naturally the USSD menu worked. But when I realised my R15 airtime wasn’t getting me anywhere, I remembered I had access to FNB's USSD menu for when you don’t have data and need a top up. I dialed *130*321# to recharge, before accessing Vodacom's USSD menu on *111# to buy a 1GB travel data bundle. It told me I needed to turn off SMS roaming first, which I didn't know worked outside the country (SMS “roamoff” to 123) and thereafter, I successfully purchased a travel data bundle.
And just like that, I was connected and less grumpy, but surprised I pulled that off. It helped pass time on the plane, in the middle of summer, in the desert, long before the air-conditioners could be switched on. Why am I telling you this? On the chance you’re with Vodacom and FNB, and may end up in a similar situation, of course. We know cash is still king, but so is USSD. There’s no app for that.
I’m typing this on a bus in China, making my way from Hangzhou to Linhai, as a guest of Geely South Africa. Stay tuned for updates as I learn more about its plans to relaunch in South Africa and what EVs we can expect to see, etc. Oh, that Vodacom travel bundle? Has a built-in VPN and works with your favourite apps in China (as does Airalo).
In other news, I recently published my review of the SmallRig Wireless Video Monitor, supplied by Orms. It’s an accessory that mirrors your rear camera, aimed at content creators, business owners or vloggers, who shoot exclusively on a smartphone:
https://www.recharged.co.za/review-smallrig-wireless-video-monitor/
Reads you may want to catch up on:
Till next time,
Nafisa