Mobile Broadband: MTN drops cost of 2GB prepaid data bundles

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 20 February 2012

MTN has dropped the cost of their 2GB prepaid data bundles with a massive 50% plus, from R389 to R189. The promotion has started on the 16th of February and will run until the end of April this year.

The above-mentioned price cut or mobile broadband data (bandwidth) promotion run by MTN will most definitely be welcomed by many of those who are dependent on mobile broadband to connect to the Internet. It is just a pity we don’t yet see the cost of mobile broadband data at such reasonable price levels on a more permanent basis. ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is sure that more Average Joes would be willing to embrace mobile broadband if it was more affordable to do so. However, while the promotion is still of effect, it might not be a bad idea to test drive MTN’s 2GB prepaid offering at a price of R189. It must however be noted that “…8ta’s 10GB for R199 broadband contract promotion still offers of the best value for money in the sub-R200 market while their 2GB (+1GB after hours) for R149 prepaid offering provides is hard to beat” (MTN slashes 2GB prepaid data pricing, MyBroadband, Staff Writer, 16 February 2012). In addition, one must note in MTN’s favour, that 8ta’s limited network coverage makes it impossible for many Average Joes to fully embrace 8ta’s mobile broadband offerings. Hopefully this is something that will be properly addressed by 8ta as we move forward into the future, because the Average Joes in South Africa are certainly hungry for cheaper mobile broadband data/bandwidth. This being written, it remains an open question when we will see truly cost-effective prepaid bundles offered by the likes of Cell C again, especially given the fact that they’ve sold their base station infrastructure last year to American Tower Corporation (ATC) for R430m. Word is out that “…ATC has plans to build “hundreds” of new towers across the country, but admits that securing the right permits and environmental approvals can take a long time” (American Tower to build own base stations, TechCentral, The Editor, 14 February 2012). Despite all the obstacles, we certainly hope to get to the point where affordable mobile broadband data will be available across South Africa.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) welcomes MTN’s latest promotion where 2GB of prepaid data can be purchased for R189 until the end of April this year, although we’re hoping to see such reasonable price levels on a more permanent basis.