MTN makes data deal permanent

Mobile data price war continue to benefit South African consumers as the operators drop the cost of connecting smart devices to the internet.

MTN on Wednesday announced that its data promotions were now permanent as the company looked to take on Vodacom in SA.

"We at first extended the data offerings promotion to our customers, but have now decided to make it permanent to provide our customers a bold, new digital world," said Brian Gould Gouldie, chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA.

Junior operator Cell C currently offers data at 15c per megabyte and the price contributed to disrupting the data market. Competitors reacted with a variety of pricing offers to reduce the cost of smartphone data.

MTN's data promotions of R10 for 20MB up to R249 for 2GB are now permanent.

source: www.news24.com

MTN makes data deals permanent

Mobile data price war continue to benefit South African consumers as the operators drop the cost of connecting smart devices to the internet.

MTN on Wednesday announced that its data promotions were now permanent as the company looked to take on Vodacom in SA.

"We at first extended the data offerings promotion to our customers, but have now decided to make it permanent to provide our customers a bold, new digital world," said Brian Gould Gouldie, chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA.

Junior operator Cell C currently offers data at 15c per megabyte and the price contributed to disrupting the data market. Competitors reacted with a variety of pricing offers to reduce the cost of smartphone data.

MTN's data promotions of R10 for 20MB up to R249 for 2GB are now permanent.
The company hinted that the rise in demand from consumers had driven the price cut.
"The Internet Bundle rate reduction has proven to be extremely successful with customers, addressing their need to be connected at all times, with the rise of internet data consumption requirements," said Gouldie.
According to the Mobility 2014 research study, conducted by World Wide Worx with the backing of First National Bank, people in the 19 - 24 age group are abandoning spending on voice calls in favour of data.
The results show that voice declined to 56% of the group's cellphone expense, down around 10% from 2012, while spending on data increased from 17% to 24%.

Data spend, on the other hand increased from 12% to 16%.

For operators, data has emerged as a key revenue generator and Vodacom reported that data revenue was on a roll, despite price declines.

"Group data revenue increased 29%, even as we actively reduced data prices. In South Africa as an example, the average price per megabyte came down 16%," Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub .

source : www.news24.com

iPad air contract prices in South Africa

The new iPad Air from Apple recently went on sale in South Africa, available through a number of retail chains, First National Bank (FNB), and Vodacom.

A Wi-Fi only iPad Air can be had from R5,999 (16GB) and a model with 3G/LTE support starts at R7,799 (16GB). A number of contract options were also available at launch.

Vodacom lists contracts on its 1GB, 2GB, and 3GB mobile data packages for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB iPad Air models.

iStore has also advertised that it is selling iPads on Vodacom contracts that are priced similarly to the deals on the mobile network’s website.

One deal not listed on the Vodacom website that is on offer at iStore is for a 16 GB Wi-Fi only iPad Air on Vodacom MyGig1 for R379/month.

There are also discounts on offer from iStore if you trade in your old iPad, with a reduction of at least R100/month promised on a functional, undamaged iPad 2.

Third and fourth generation iPads (iPad 3 & 4) may also be traded in, iStore said.

FNB cheque and private bank account holders are also able to buy iPads on monthly repayment plans, but without a cellular contract.

At the time of writing the bank bundled a cover, screen guard, and R100 iStore voucher with any iPad bought on its smart device promotion for clients.

source: www.mybroadband.co

Sandvine provides econet wireless Zimbabwe withusage based plans

Sandvine, a provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, announced it is providing Econet Wireless Zimbabwe with network policy control products to roll out new service packages for the growing demand for mobile data.

According to a release, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the largest subsidiary of Econet Group, serves over 8.5 million subscribers on its 3G network and became aSandvine customer in March 2013.

Sandvine noted that Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is using its Usage Management product with plug-and-play capabilities that will enable them to roll out new revenue-generating services for their pre-paid and post-paid subscribers. Sandvine was selected based on its ability to fulfill the technical requirements of usage-based charging over Gy and policy enforcement over Gx, which are critical for rolling out new services such as roaming notifications, bill shock prevention, family plans and data bundles.

"Sandvine's technical accuracy and scalability gives us confidence that as our network and subscriber adoption continues to grow, so too will our service offerings," said Leon de Fleuriot, General Manager: Products and Services, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. "We are committed to maintaining our leadership position in Zimbabweby rolling out new services that meet the growing demand for mobile Internet data across the country."

Additionally, Sandvine recently published its semi-annual Global Internet Phenomena Report identifying that video accounts for less than 6 percent of traffic in mobile networks in Africa but is expected to quickly grow towards the 40 percent levels seen in other regions.

"The African market is especially unique, as most users are connecting to the Internet for the first time through mobile devices, and using applications like BBM, Facebook and WhatsApp," said Tom Donnelly, COO, Sales and Global Services, Sandvine. "We expect that Africa will be a fast video adopter and forward- thinking operators like Econet Wireless Zimbabwe are rolling out creative device-and application-based service tiers to drive revenue and increase adoption of mobile Internet."

source: hispanicbusiness.com

africa's mobile boom : huge opportunities

Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile industry has been the fastest growing region in the world for mobile users in the past five years, according to a report published  by the GSMA, the body representing mobile operators worldwide.

The region's mobile subscriber base has grown by 18% a year over the past five years to 253-million unique users and 502-million connections. GSMA forecasts in their report, "Sub-Saharan Africa Mobile Economy 2013", that mobile users in the region will be closer to 346-million within the next five years.

Despite the high figures, there is still ample room for growth. "With unique subscriber penetration rates still less than 33%, this opens up a major opportunities for growth in the next five years," the GSMA said.

At 65.7%, South Africa has the highest penetration rate, while Niger represents the lower end at 20%.

Economic effect

The mobile industry currently contributes more than 6% of Sub-Saharan Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) - higher than any other comparable region globally, according to the report. This contribution is expected to rise from $60-billion in 2012 to $119-billion, or more than 8% of GDP, by 2020.

Last year, the mobile ecosystem directly supported 3.3-million jobs and contributed $21-billion to public funding in the region, including licence fees, the study shows.

By 2020, mobile is set to double its economic effect, employing 6.6-million people in the region and contributing $42-billion to public funding.

Fixed-line penetration rates in many countries in the region are less than 5%. "Mobile has emerged as the main medium for accessing the internet across sub-Saharan Africa. While 2G connections still dominate, 3G and 4G networks are gaining scale and smartphone ownership is on the rise," the GSMA said.

"Despite the significant impact of the mobile industry in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, even greater opportunities are ahead," said Tom Phillips, GSMA's chief regulatory officer. "Beyond further growth for voice services, the region is starting to see an explosion in the uptake of mobile data."

However, Phillips said, a short-term focus by some countries on generating high spectrum fees and maximising tax revenue risks "constrains the potential of the mobile internet.

Vodacom data usage soars

Data usage on Vodacom South Africa's network grew 79% in the past year‚ driven by lower handset prices and data costs.As a result of the demand Vodacom is investing in increasing network capacity‚ providing innovative solutions and improving customer service. The group plans to increase its data coverage on its 3G network from 88,9% to 100% in South Africa in near future.

According to Frost & Sullivan the growing demand for data services, triggered by the proliferation of smartphones with innovative‚ value-added services and customer demand for converged voice and data services‚ is driving the broadband market in southern Africa.

Vodacom reported a 29% rise in data revenue to R6.1bn for the six months to September driven by bundle sales and integrated offers. In South Africa‚ Vodacom has 15-million active data customers up 13.4% from 2012. 

"Mobile data is one of the biggest opportunities facing us‚ with smartphone and tablet penetration still at low levels in all our markets‚" says Vodacom's chief executive Shameel Joosub.

Research by Informa Telecoms and Media found that smartphone users in South Africa spend on average US$31 per month on their mobile phone. Of the 12 countries surveyed‚ South Africans are the fourth biggest spenders‚ behind consumers in the US‚ Saudi Arabia and the UK.

Mobile data usage rising sharply

Africa's mobile data business is worth US$8.5bn a year and will rise to more than US$23bn in 2018‚ according to the report. 

"It is consumer demand that is driving this growth‚" says principal analyst at Informa Telecoms and Media‚ Nick Jotischky. "But retail prices are still too high‚ smartphones are too expensive and there is a lack of investment in connecting parts of rural Africa. These are barriers restraining greater consumer demand."

Vodacom has been providing finance for consumers who cannot afford to buy smartphones upfront. The company says in South Africa‚ handset financing underpins its strategy of putting data capable devices into customers' hands.
source : bizcommunity.com