Vodacom drops 3G data service costs

"This reduction in tariffs means that Vodacom customers could pay as little as 39c per meg - making our superfast mobile internet even more affordable and accessible to everyone," says Pieter Uys, Vodacom's chief operations officer.

"The proposed reduction in tariffs excludes 3G HSDPA tariffs and includes all standard in-bundle 3G contract and bolt-on tariffs," Uys says.

This follows an announcement by Vodacom that effective 21 April 2006, any customer who owns a locally purchased Vodacom 3G Data Connect Card can visit any Vodacom-approved outlet for a free swop-out for a 3G HSDPA Data Connect Card - dependant on availability of stock and proof of original purchase within South Africa.

According to Vodacom, its HSDPA network offers users downlink speeds of up to 1.8 Mbs, which is faster than ADSL and up to five times faster than 3G.