Shocker: R25 000 data bill from Vodacom

If I knew data would be the new gold I would have built myself an empire, says a Fin24 user who was shocked to get a R25 000 bill from Vodacom. She writes:

I got home only to open up a Vodacom bill of R25 000. Mini heart attack alert! So the price of data is much more valuable than gold? In a strange way it makes sense in this technologically advanced era.

READ: Data disaster: A cell phone bill of R20 000

With R25 000 I could actually pay off my vehicle finance or enjoy an international vacation. In fact I could even buy myself out of these contracts.

I then started browsing the web for similar stories regarding high data cost usage to see if I'm alone in this. And I'm not alone. Let me admit: reading so many stories of high data usage costs is weirdly comforting, yet ridiculously insane.

READ: Data costs must fall, Fin24 users demand

R25 000 is more than two month's salary. I'm guessing that most people don't even earn that amount in half a year.

This is my gripe: If your data runs out or you're approaching certain thresholds then why doesn't a warning kick in? Why not cut me off by suspending my service at the limit agreed upon, which I have in place the last time I checked.

The question is simple: Why allow people to go through out of bundle rates when you can prevent a problem before it begins?

Infographic: Data losses cost SA over R3bn

I called Vodacom and I'm awaiting feedback. Cross your fingers for me.

I'm not the fighting type. That is not the aim. If I'm wrong, I can accept that. It just boggles my mind how probably 10 gigs, 6 gigs or 7 gigs can amount to R25 000.

As we transition into this information age where data is consumed by the bucket loads, I think it is crucial to educate and inform clients about data, apps and devices.

If I knew data would be the new gold I would have built myself an empire.

WATCH: How to keep your data costs down

Disclaimer: All letters and comments published in Fin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.