south_africa [African Signals]

South Africa mobile phone and internet costs

Overview

How many operators and ISPs are there in South Africa?

vodacom
Bands: GSM 900/1800
Data: WiMAX, 3G, HSUPA, HSDPA 1.8/ 3.6/ 7.2, EDGE, GPRS/ GSM
Data Coverage Map: http://www.vodamap.net/3g/
Prefix: +2782, +2772, +2779, +2771, ?
Estimated Live Subscribers: 3.867 million contract, 22.45 million prepaid (source: Vodacom Prelisting Statement 2009])
Costs:
- Voice (in network) 4U - R2.85/min peak and R1.12/min off-peak
- Voice (out of network) 4U - R2.99/min peak and R1.30/min off-peak
- Data : http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/vodacom_broadband/cost.jsp - generally R2 per MB out of Bundle - R 0.28 per MB when you buy a GB. Same price in or out of contract.

mtn
Bands: GSM 900/1800
Data: 3G
Prefix: +2783, +2773, +2776, ?
Estimated Live Subscribers: 2008 - 2.5 million contract and 12.3 million prepaid (source: MTN Group)
Costs:
- Voice (in network) - PayG Classic - R2.50/min peak and R1.40/min off-peak
- Voice (out of network) - PayG Classic - R2.85/min peak and R1.60/min off-peak
- SMS PayG Classic - R0.75
- Data : http://www.mtn.co.za/FindaPlan/Pages/DataBun.aspx - Almost identical costs to Vodacom.

cellc
Bands: GSM 900/1800
Data: GPRS, EDGE
Prefix: +2784, +2774, ?
Estimated Live Subscribers: 2008 - 5.4 million (source: Wireless Federation)
Costs:
- Voice (in network) EasyChat Standard R2.50/min peak and R1.40/min off-peak
- Voice (out of network) EasyChat Standard R2.85/min peak and R1.60/min off-peak
- SMS EasyChat Standard R0.80 per message
- Data : http://www.cellc.co.za/content/mobileinternet/mobile_internet_02.asp - Almost identical costs to Vodacom.

http://www.virginmobile.co.za
Bands: GSM 900/1800
Data:
Prefix: +27741
Estimated Live Subscribers: >200,000
Costs:
- Voice (in network) ?
- Voice (out of network) ?
- Data : http://www.virginmobile.co.za/virgin-portal-customer/greatRates.virgin - R0.60 per Mb