iPad and Vodacom pay-as-you go

The 3G  connection on my iPad suddenly stopped working for no apparent reason. It kept telling me that I had no data left and prompted me to add data "now" or "later". This was despite me having just bought bundles of data.

I eventually tracked the problem to an invitation to update my settings (which I accepted). Essentially this change the APN setting under "Cellular Data" from "internet" to "iphone.vodacom.za".

Changing the setting back to"internet" solves the problem (leave the Username and Password blank).

It seems that Apple and/or Vodacom are keen to create the eronneous impression that only 3G subscription services, and not prepaid, works on the iPad.