Cell C, Vodacom unveil improved services

It follows an announcement from rival group Vodacom (VOD) on Thursday that it had revised its data services structure and pricing.

Cell C's packages would be available from 1 August, with the aim of bringing the H+900 deep, wide, strong network to higher-demand internet users.

"Cell C has heard the call from SA consumers and small business owners to provide larger bandwidth products at competitive prices to help them meet their own day-to-day internet access demands," said Simon Camerer, Cell C's executive head of marketing.

The 10GB per month package, standard with either a 7.2Mbps MyZone router or 21.6Mbps Speed Stick, would cost the customer R499 per month on contract for 12 months or R4999 once-off on prepaid.

The 20GB per month package, also standard with a MyZone router or Speed Stick would be available at R899 per month on contract or R8999 once-off on prepaid.

Both prepaid packages would also be available as "SIM only" variants at a R1000 discount. Customers who already owned a Speed Stick or router would be able to purchase a 120GB SIM (10GB per month) for R3999 once-off or the 240GB SIM (20GB per month) for R7999. Cell C's out-of-bundle rate of 39c applies to those packages.

"Coupled with our recently launched 3GB once-off offer for R399, Cell C now has a comprehensive range of broadband products that cater for a cross-section of consumer needs, enabling them to get the best out of Cell C's new H+900 network," Camerer said.

On Thursday, Vodacom revised its data services structure and pricing, which would see contract data customers reap savings of up to 43% and get double their data for free with Night Owl, moving the effective savings to as high as 72%.

Also from 1 August, customers would pay less for accessing the internet, Vodacom said. Customers would pay as little as seven cents per MB for data consumption.

"Vodacom's change to red brought with it the promise of real changes to the network, customer service and value. We hope these price reductions will contribute to making the internet more affordable and give our customers an enhanced connected experience," said Pieter Uys, Vodacom CEO.

All existing and new Vodacom contract customers would also be given another allocation of the same size as the subscribed data bundle to use anytime between midnight and 05:00. This service, called Night Owl, previously only on promotion, would be available as standard to all Vodacom contract subscribers, the group said.