Cell C doubles data prices

After a year of setting the agenda for low-cost mobile broadband access with its promotional services, Cell C has now rolled out a product range that almost doubles the price of some of its data contracts. This indicates that the company could not sustain the current low prices.

Over the last year, Cell C came to market with some exceptional promotional offers starting with prepaid, and later contract versions. Since the launch of its data products, says Cell C, it has had a chance to analyse customer behaviour and expectations and as a result the company will be releasing a new suite of products “to meet the needs of a cross section of its customer base””. However, this means that what was once the lowest-priced mobile data packages in the market are no more. it also suggests that Cell C found the current low prices unsustainable. Cell C has announced that the new range of products will be available from 1 November and will replace the promotional offers. ‚Cell C fundamentally changed the mobile data market when we launched our initial data prices. We have seen tremendous uptake of these packages and customers haveendorsed our top class network speeds and prices. While our promotions are at an end, we are proud to announce that our new data products are still exceptionally competitive,‚ says Simon Camerer, Cell C’s Executive Head of Marketing. New prepaid data products Cell C will be expanding the selection of prepaid products available to its customers giving them far more choice and control over their data needs. Customers will also be able to choose options that either include or exclude a speed stick or router. ¬∑ For customers that are light Internet users Cell C is introducing a new 1GB /month product (12GB over a year), which will be available to customers for R1,999 once-off including a speed stick capable of download speeds up to 7.2Mbps. For those customers that already have a device, 1GB per month over a year will cost R1,499 once-off. ¬∑ The 2GB /month package (24GB over a year) will cost R2,999 once-off with a speed stick capable of download speeds of up to 21.6Mbps included or R1,999 without a device. This compares to the current offering of R1,499 with a 7.2Mbps speed stick. ¬∑ The 5GB /month package (60GB over a year) will cost R5,999 once-off with a Cell C MyZone router or R4,499 without a device. This compares to the current R3,498 with a MyZone router. Cell C’s traditional out-of-bundle rate of 39c/MB will apply on all these products. ‚Cell C will continue to push the bar by innovating and bringing new competitive products to market,‚ continues Camerer. New contract data products Contract customers will also be given a wider range of products to choose from, allowing both light and heavier Internet users access to their perfect package. Cell C will now offer the following range of contract products: ¬∑ A 500MB /month package, which will cost R129 /month and comes standard with a speed stick capable of download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. ¬∑ A 1GB /month package which will cost R199 /month and comes standard with a speed stick capable of download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps, plus a Wi-Fi router accessory. ¬∑ A 2GB /month package will cost R299 and comes standard with a speed stick capable of download speeds of up to 21.6Mbps, plus a Wi-Fi router accessory. This compares to R149 a month for a contract that includes a 7.2Mbps speed stick or a Wi-FI router. ¬∑ A 5GB /month package will cost R599 and comes bundled with the popular MyZonerouter, which allows users to simultaneously connect up to 5 devices to theInternet. This compares with the current offering of R299 a month with either a rputer or a 21Mps speed stick. As part of its bid to target small business owners, Cell C continues its larger postpaid packages of 10GB /month and 20GB /month, which will now cost R999 and R1,999 /month respectively. The current cost is R499 a month. These two packages will include a Cell C E586 router capable of download speeds of up to 21.6Mbps and will allow customers to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Cell C’s new pricing

Postpaid offers

500MB

R129pm

7.2 Mbps speed stick

1GB

R199pm

7.2 Mbps Speed stick + D105/MF10 router

2GB

R299pm

21.6 Mbps speed stick + D105/MF10 router

5GB

R599pm

MyZone router (up to 7.2 Mbps)

10GB

R999pm

E586 router (up to 21.6 Mbps)

20GB

R1,999pm

E586 router (up to 21.6 Mbps)

Prepaid with device

Included device

12GB (1GB/month)

R1,999

7.2Mbps speed stick

24GB (2GB/month)

R2,999

21.6Mbps speed stick

60GB (5GB/month)

R5,999

Cell C MyZone router

Prepaid without device

12GB (1GB)

R1,499

24GB (2GB)

R1,999

60GB (5GB)

R4,499

120GB (10GB)

R7,999

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