8ta launches uncapped voice

Telkom’s mobile network, 8ta, today unveiled what they called “a game changing voice offer”” – unlimited voice calling options at a fixed price.

Customers will be allowed unlimited calling to any national mobile network as well as any national fixed line network. The service is aimed at heavy users, especially small businesses and individual business users who spend more than R1500 a month on voice calls, and starts at R1199 with only a SIM card included..

“”This is an offer for real conusmers to maximize their lives and have trouble-free mobile calling,”” 8ta Senior Managing Executive, Amith Maharaj said at the launch. “”A businessman spending more than R3000 is going to see a lot of value.””

He added that it was a voice equivalent of the uncapped data offerings launched by other providers in 2010, and could evolve over time.

“”If you don’t pioneer these kinds of offerings, you don’t create demand. This could be the first in a trend it’s a big deal.””

The 8ta Unlimited Voice All-Net promotional offering is available as a new 24 month contract plan. This offer allows customers to make unlimited voice calls to any mobile network, at any time, including 8ta, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C and fixed line networks Telkom and Neotel. Telkom Business is also offering this promotion to business customers.

‚””Mobile voice services have fast become the communication medium of choice for South Africans on the move. Now for the first time the limitations of this medium has been removed. 8ta is enabling its customers to be connected like never before,‚”” said Maharaj in a statement released after the launch.

‚””During these tough economic times, 8ta is committed to delivering products and services that enable South Africans to maximise their potential and to live unlimited,‚”” he added.

This promotion will be available from 1 November 2012 at 8ta Flagship stores, Telkom Direct stores and Telkom Business for a limited period only. The plan has a SIM only monthly subscription rate of R1199.00 and a Samsung Galaxy S3 option at a rate of R1499.00. These rates include VAT.

Maharaj added at the launch that the 8ta mobile network now encompassed 2000 base stations, and that 70% of national voice traffic was on its own network. It still used its contractual arrangement with MTN to fill the gaps in its coverage. However, almost all data traffic – 95% – was on its own network.

“