Vodacom anwers call

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 14 March 2007

Vodacom has answered the call to cut the cost of broadband in South Africa with price cuts of up to 61%. This means that they’re now the cheapest broadband provider in South Africa for lower usage offerings.

Once again in a relative short period of time broadband users in South Africa have something to celebrate. This time it is Vodacom that’s giving us reason to celebrate. We’ve already been waiting for ages to see cheaper broadband in this country, and it seems that the wireless broadband (mobile broadband) access providers have chosen to lead the way.

"This is a continuation of Vodacom's resolve to offer our customers the best products and services at some of the most competitive rates in the world. These new rates will apply to all Vodacom customers as from 1 April 2007” (Vodacom’s new data tariffs brings savings of up to 61%, MyADSL, 10 March 2007). This is according to CEO of the Vodacom Group, Alan Knott-Craig. He added: “Over the past few years our customers have benefited from a range of rate reductions. With the announcement of Vodacom's 'Happy Hours' back in 2005, we promised our customers more affordable data rates as we rolled out our 3G network, and that promise has now come to fruition” (Vodacom’s new data tariffs brings savings of up to 61%, MyADSL, 10 March 2007). In other words, Vodacom is really happy to announce these price cuts of up to 61% that will become effective (kick in) by the first of April this year or next month.

Can you give us more details on Vodacom’s new data tariffs?

Sure. We will let the tables do the talking:

(See article titled: ‘Vodacom’s new data tariffs brings savings of up to 61%,’ published by MyADSL on the 10th of March 2007)

Is there anything I might have missed?

Maybe. ‘There is also no longer any distinction between 3G or 3G HSDPA data contracts which means that all Vodacom’s broadband customers can surf the Internet for under 19c per megabyte’ (Vodacom’s new data tariffs brings savings of up to 61%, MyADSL, 10 March 2007).

In other words, savings will be passed onto all Vodacom’s broadband customers, and not just a selective few.

Will other wireless broadband access providers like MTN, iBurst and Sentech respond with further price cuts or improvements to their offerings?

It’s difficult to say although there might be a few surprises…

We hope for one that iBurst will come up with real price cuts and not just additions to its offerings. While it’s nice to have ‘Data Bonus’ and ‘Data Carryover’ it doesn’t mean that users are necessarily shooting for more bandwidth. Many want to see benefits they can feel in their pockets.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) welcomes Vodacom’s latest efforts to help bring down the cost of broadband in South Africa. This will enable more South Africans to switch to broadband, the fastest gun in town.