aruso

Hi everybody,

Is it possible to buy SIM CARD with a South African number, before our holiday in november on the internet?

If not, where to buy it,we arrive at night at Joburg airport, I know most shops are closed that time,so does anybody know any adress in or near Sandton, Joburg? I heard something that for foreigners it is since new laws nearly impossible to buy one?

Thanks,

Albert

sf7307

Yes, it is possible. Friends used this site for buying an Australian SIM in advance.

http://www.telestial.com/sim_regional.php?ID=AF

sf7307

Oh, I wasn't referring to any restrictive laws, just that there are companies that sell the cards.

ArthurSA

The link on that site advertises S.A. (MTN or Vodacom) cards. The advertised price would be $30 or more than you'd pay in S.A., cards without air time are almost zero cost here, these days R1 OR R2.

But more importantly they are "out of stock". I suspect that this is because (perhaps unlike in Oz) there are now strict regulations that govern the purchase of SIM cards in S.A. Nothing you can't do as a visitor (and locals also have to comply), but you need to show documentation to get a local card activated.

So my advice is to follow the advice you received in another forum. Wait until you can get to the nearest supermarket or one of the many outlets that sell the cards.

spassvogel

We always book our sim in advance and get the number prior to arrival in JNB in order to let staff and relatives at home know.

Here you can pre-book and check branches/opening hrs.

http://www.cellucity.co.za/branches.htm

spassvogel

sf703

THX for the link of which I didn't know before.

Getting a SIM in Australia was just a NIGHTMARE - getting it going with all those infos needed like passport #, address, home address, traveling address etc etc. Took us 3 days and 3 different TELSTRA offices/postshops and internet freaks shops to get started and loaded.

This telestial seems to be very easy. I have already prepaid a calling card for the trip to Australia for landline calls.

I will also check the simcard opportunties if we need an additional one in Australia now that I still have my TELSTRA sim which needs to be emptied first.

Also the fees are reasonable.

THX!

Carlux

SIM cards are very cheap (20 rand) in South Africa. But the seller must register you, having checked identification. So I suspect no one sells them online - or they shouldnt anyway. Available lots of places once you arrive.

ArthurSA

You can still get SIM cards in supermarkets for R1 or R2. The only difference is the registration. The difference being that now they have to do the registration. Presumably it's regarded as a service and not motivated by direct profit.

SALivingAbroad

It's easy to buy a SIM card at any airport, but you have to show proof of ID AND proof of residential address in South Africa. If you're a tourist, they will accept your hotel booking (show proof) as your residential address. At the airports look for mobile service providers e.g. MTN, Vodacom, Cell-C.

canadian_robin

Again, an old thread (2010!). CR

Greatfishing1

If this helps, have just returned from there and bought a vodacom one (data and talk) at the JHB airport once through customs. All that I had to do was show my passport (shows address) (good thing to carry 3 forms of proof of address I've found) and was issued with a card, they activated for me and I topped up with data and talk time. Had no further trouble and had connectivity throughout my whole trip. Look at a map of the airport and that will show you how to get to the store.
In this way you have a connection before you leave. If using a computer you may have to take along a "dongle" that is not locked to a provider, or buy one from the store. Cheers.

apenny620

@Greatfishing1 Can I also buy a cheap phone there or do I need to bring a phone with me to use the SIM card? If I do need to bring a phone, what kind of phone do I need to get. Please let me know.
Thank you,