With Telkom you can get 10GB for R99 – and it comes with even more perks. From streaming and remote work to online banking and social media, data fuels the modern lifestyle. Yet, data costs in South Africa have long been a topic of concern, especially for low-income earners and students. That’s why Telkom’s prepaid bundle offering of 10GB Anytime + 10GB Night Surfer for just R99 has sparked considerable interest.
Let’s dive deep into what this bundle includes, how to activate it, why it’s so popular, and how it compares to other options. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, small business owner, or anyone in need of value-for-money data, this guide is your complete walkthrough.
What Is the Telkom R99 Data Bundle?
This Telkom deal is formally known as the LTE 10GB + 10GB for R99 prepaid bundle. It’s designed for users on the SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid tariff plan and offers:
- 10GB of Anytime Data: Usable 24/7 without restrictions
- 10GB of Night Surfer Data: Usable between 12am and 7am daily
- Validity: 31 days from purchase
- Price: R99 once-off (prepaid)
Essentially, you’re getting 20GB total, split evenly between unrestricted and night-time usage — making this one of the best cost-per-gig deals available nationally.
Step-by-Step: How to Activate the Bundle
Getting this bundle isn’t automatic — but with just a few taps on your phone, you’ll be surfing in no time. Here’s how:
1. Get a Telkom SIM Card
First, ensure you have a Telkom SIM that’s properly RICA-registered. You can purchase one at Telkom stores, select supermarkets, or mobile retailers.
2. Change Your Tariff Plan
This bundle only works with Telkom’s SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid plan. To switch:
- Dial
*180# - Choose Option 5: Change Tariff
- Select Option 2: Change Current Tariff
- Choose Option 2: SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid
- Confirm with Option 1
Telkom will send a confirmation SMS once your tariff change is successful.
3. Buy the Bundle
Once your plan is updated, dial *180# again:
- Choose Option 1: LTE Bundles
- Select the 10GB + 10GB for R99 bundle
- Confirm purchase
Done! You can also purchase the bundle using the Telkom App or at participating retailers and service kiosks.
Why This Deal Stands Out
Let’s break down why this data bundle has made such waves:
Unmatched Value
R99 for 20GB (even split) equates to R4.95 per GB — a value that’s hard to beat. Most competitors, even with similar night-time limitations, offer far less data for this price.
Extended Validity
Many prepaid bundles expire within 7 or 14 days. This one lasts a full 31 days, giving you plenty of time to use it fully without rushing.
Night Surfer Bonus
Yes, 12am–7am isn’t prime time for everyone — but many people use Night Surfer data to:
- Download movies and music
- Perform large system updates
- Schedule overnight uploads for content creation
- Stream late-night videos, or catch up on work
Think of it as free rein during the quiet hours of the day.
Limitations to Consider
No deal is perfect, and it’s important to weigh the limitations alongside the perks:
Coverage Issues
This bundle works exclusively within Telkom LTE coverage areas. If you’re in a region with weak or no Telkom signal, the deal becomes impractical.
You can check your coverage here: Telkom Coverage Map
Prepaid Only
Contract users or those on different plans aren’t eligible unless they switch. While it’s fairly easy to change plans, it may not suit every user’s long-term usage habits.
Night Surfer Restrictions
Night Surfer data isn’t for everyone. If your internet usage is strictly during business hours, you may not benefit from the added nighttime bonus.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Data
Ready to stretch every megabyte? Here are some savvy suggestions:
Schedule Late Downloads
Use apps like Tasker or your phone’s native scheduler to automate large downloads and updates after midnight.
Turn Off Background Data
Apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter can drain your data even when idle. Turn off auto-play and restrict background usage via your phone’s settings.
Use Lite Versions
Facebook Lite, YouTube Go, and Twitter Lite consume significantly less data — perfect for prepaid plans.
Clear Cache Regularly
Old cache files hog space and sometimes force data reloads. Clean them out regularly to stay efficient.
Comparing to Other Telkom Bundles
If the R99 bundle isn’t quite right for your usage pattern, Telkom offers several other prepaid deals:
| Bundle Name | Anytime Data | Night Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10GB + 10GB LTE (this deal) | 10GB | 10GB | R99 | 31 days |
| 20GB + 20GB LTE | 20GB | 20GB | R199 | 31 days |
| FreeMe 1GB | 1GB + extras | N/A | R69 | 31 days |
| Time-Based Bundles | Variable | Variable | R5+ | Per hour/day |
Many users find stacking smaller bundles more flexible, while heavy users often opt for the R199 version with 40GB total data.
Buying Through the Telkom App: A Quick Guide
Want a sleek way to buy bundles and monitor usage?
- Download the Telkom App (Android/iOS)
- Log in or register
- Go to Data & Bundles
- Select the 10GB + 10GB R99 deal
- Pay via debit/credit card, EFT, or airtime balance
You can also view your remaining data, top-up, or schedule bundle renewals.
Why Affordable Internet Matters
The impact of deals like Telkom’s goes beyond personal savings — they fuel access to:
- Education: Online classes and research are now accessible to more students.
- Employment: Job searches, applications, and remote work become viable.
- Small Businesses: Owners can run social media marketing, e-commerce sites, and virtual meetings affordably.
- Connectivity: Families separated by distance can stay in touch without worrying about data costs.
Bringing down data prices has been a long-standing goal in South Africa, where digital inclusion is often hindered by cost and infrastructure. Bundles like the Telkom R99 offer are steps toward making internet access a basic utility, not a privilege.
Final Checklist Before Buying
Before diving in, make sure you:
Own and RICA’d a Telkom SIM
Are in a Telkom LTE coverage area
Have airtime or payment method ready
Are switched to SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid
Can benefit from both anytime and late-night data
Once that’s sorted — you’re good to go.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for an affordable way to stay online without sacrificing data volume, Telkom’s 10GB + 10GB for R99 prepaid bundle is a no-brainer. The balance between anytime usage and night-time bonus data makes it versatile, while the price point places it in reach of everyday users.
Whether you’re streaming music, attending Zoom meetings, watching tutorials, or gaming, this package offers serious bang for your buck. Just make sure you’re within Telkom’s coverage zone and keep an eye on your usage habits to maximize your bundle.
Want help picking the best bundle for your lifestyle or budget? I’m here to walk you through it all.
1. Best Telkom fixed-LTE deal – 10GB + 10GB for R99
The Telkom 10GB data bundle gives you 10GB data connectivity for any time use, and then 10GB for nighttime use which will not affect your normal daytime data usage. The price of this package is R99, and the subscription is renewable monthly.
How to Subscribe to this Package
- Purchase a new Telkom SIM card if you don’t have one.
- Dial *180# and press send.
- Select option 5 which is: change tariff.
- Select option 2 which is: change current tariff.
- Select option 2 which is: SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid.
- Select option 1: This will change your tariff to SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid.
That’s the first step; changing your tariff plan to SmartBroadband Wireless Prepaid. Now that you are in the root plan that can enable you to select the preferred data plan, you just need to go ahead and choose the data plan from the options table.
To do so just dial the following:
- Dial *180# and press send again.
- Select option 1 which is: LTE.
- You will see the list of the bundles. Select the appropriate one which is 10GB + 10GB for R99.
Aside from the 10GB + 10GB data bundles, Telkom offers several other similar data bundles that are similarly priced and similarly structured. Find them below:
2. 20GB + 20GB data bundle for R199
The 20GB for R199 is a similar data package that gives you 20GB of anytime data for your main account, as well as 20GB for nighttime data usage which you can use without touching the data balance on your main account. This bundle is valid for 31 days, and costs just R199.
3. 60GB + 60GB data bundle for R399
The 60GB + 60GB data bundle is a Telkom data bundle that gives you 60GB of anytime data for your main account, and then another 60GB of nighttime data, which you will use at night without reducing the balance of your main account. this bundle lasts 31 days and costs R399.
4. 120GB + 120GB for R699
The 120GB + 120GB data bundle is a Telkom data bundle that gives you 120GB of data for any time use, and then 120GB for nighttime use. The nighttime data is a plus for you to use during late-night hours without touching the data from your main account. this bundle costs R699.
5. 220GB + 220GB for R999
The 220GB + 220GB for R999 data bundle gives you 220GB for any time data use, and then 220GB for nighttime use. The nighttime data is a plus because it allows you to surf the internet at late night hours without deducting from the main account of your data balance.
Other popular data bundles on the Telkom network include.
FreeMe bundles
FreeMe bundles are Prepaid options on the Telkom network that give you cheap access to internet data connections, as well as free minutes for on-network calls, good rates for calls outside the network, and SMS. Some of the FreeMe bundles are as follows:
FreeMe 1.5GB data bundle at R139
FreeMe 6GB data bundle at R289
FreeMe 11.5GB data bundle at R389
FreeMe 28GB data bundle at R689
Telkom Social Bundles
Telkom social bundles, as the name implies, are data packages tailored for social media platforms. The data may be used exclusively for use with social media sites and applications. This is good for subscribers who know that the vast majority of their internet time is spent on social media sites.
They are broken down into different time frames.
Daily social bundles
The daily social bundles are for those who do not need to spend too much time on social media, and who only have to spend as much money on the connection as they actually use. If you need more internet time, you can just do the subscription again.
25MB data which costs R2
50MB of data which costs R3
75MB of data which costs R4
100MB of data which costs R5
250MB of data which costs R10
500MB of data which costs R15
Weekly social bundles
Weekly social bundles are for people that have a greater need for social media, and thus need more time on it. The weekly social bundles last for seven days, and they cost less than daily data because data prices are discounted as they become bigger. The Weekly Social bundles are differentiated by their sizes. They are as follows:
100MB weekly data which costs R5
250MB weekly of data which costs R8
500MB of weekly data which costs R12
1GB of weekly data which costs R18
2GB of weekly data which costs R35
3GB of weekly data which costs R60
Monthly social bundles
The monthly social bundles are available for users who prefer the stability of monthly subscriptions. This option gives greater freedom and also allows you to rest your mind knowing that you have paid up your subscription, and only have to renew it at the end of the month.
Find them below:
100MB of data at R10
250MB of data at R15
500MB of data at R25
1GB of data at R40
2GB of data at R70
3GB of data at R100
Related:
Conclusion:
The Telkom 10GB for R99 prepaid data bundle is perhaps the most popular one in the whole country and has been made available on several other networks and service providers. They offer the best options in low cost, high-value internet connection, and offer many attractive perks such as low off-network tariffs, and free SMS and on-network call minutes.
Please ensure that you call customer care before selecting any options because Telkom reserves the right to cancel or change any tariff or data plan without prior communication. The publishers of this article will not be liable for any losses incurred by following the information contained in this article.