Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa US Cell Phone Dialing in SA or Namibia

What is a data plan in this context? I thought WhatsApp used only the internet.

A data plan is what allows you to access the internet when you are not connected to it via wifi. Call it 4G LTE and you would recognize it immediately.

So you purchase a data plan from your provider? What if your provider has no presence in RSA? Your phone can only communicate with your provider, right?

You may be able to purchase a short term plan from your provider. Part of what is available depends upon your phone. Unless you have a phone that does not support the GSM bands, your carrier probably has a company in RSA that they partner with. I think Sprint and Verizon still use CDMA.

If you are somewhere that has wifi (many airports do) then you don't need a data plan since you connect to the internet via wifi. On some slower or limited wifi networks I can text with WhatsApp, but I can't make phone calls.

Thanks.

I just contacted my provider and I can get voice and data for a month for $140. How does WhatsApp compare in price? (I will only need the service for 10 days and probably won't make more than one or two phone calls.)

WhatsApp is a communication application. It isn't a voice or data plan.

+2782 749 0674

That is a South-African mobile number. The 0 gets replaced by +27 or 0027.

But practically, what does that mean? Is it free? Do you get charged on a per use basis?

I get that is isn't a "plan", but it still allows the movement of voice and data, right?

"WhatsApp" is an "App" that you purchase in the iTunes or Google Play store for $25. It allows you to send SMS (Text Messages) and make calls using your phone's Wi-Fi or Internet service plan.

So for $25 you are set? That sounds like the way to go.

Well, your phone must have Wi-Fi and/or a data plan. Also, you need to be in an area that you can get a 4G and/or LTE connection if you are using data, and that's not in the Bush. Plus, you will be burning thru your data allotment with your plan. Of course, if you are on Wi-Fi only, then yes it's $25 and your set.

Something to keep in mind, for example T-Mobile for $50 an month, will give you unlimited calls (USA, Canada and Mexico) and unlimited texts per month, 2G of 4G/LTE data, unlimited 2G/3G data, and music and video streaming don't count against your data. And your calls from South Africa would be .20 per minute and free texts. If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling than calls using Wi-Fi those are "free" too. However, you must have your own GSM phone.

When I'm at home, my phone attaches to my wifi network. Is that what you are talking about when you say the phone must have wifi?

Do most game ranches have wifi networks that they will allow you to access?

As for the points in your second paragraph, switching carriers isn't easy and not something I'd consider for 10 days in Africa. My carrier doesn't have GSM.

Yes,

I don't know, you will have to ask your outfitter if they have Wi-Fi available in camp.

Google search: WHATSAP, you'll be directed to a website. After reading the description, you can make the determination if this will work for you.

I installed the Whatsapp on my iPhone. I can't figure out how to call someone who does not have Whatsapp. Can anybody help?

I think they have to have whatsapp too. I installed it on my wife's phone as well as my own. One interesting feature is that it went through my contacts and somehow determined which of them had whatsapp installed.

I have come to believe you're correct. I also noticed that any of my contacts that have Whatsapp are added to my favorites list.