SA has a fourth mobile operator. Telkom took the lid off 8ta at a glittering event at Lanseria airport on Thursday evening, offering voice and data rates that look set to shake up the country’s telecommunications industry.
The launch of 8ta — which was preceded by an intense teaser campaign around the “Heita” brand — signals the fixed-line operator’s first foray into the country’s competitive cellular phone industry.
8ta’s rates are likely to set the cat among the cellular pigeons. Telkom will charge R1,50/minute for mobile calls to other operators, and 65c/minute for calls to fixed-line phones. Data rates are set at 25c/MB for in-bundle data (for purchases of over 1GB) and R1/MB for ad hoc data.
The out-of-bundle data rate is half the R2/MB charged by MTN and Vodacom.
The company has not launched any post-paid offerings yet, saying these will follow in November. For now, only prepaid products are available.
Consumers will be able to buy 8ta Sim cards from this Monday.
Speaking to TechCentral at the launch event, former Telkom CEO Reuben September said 8ta was a long time in the making and he is “proud of Telkom” even though he isn’t part of the group anymore.
Karel Pienaar, MD of MTN SA, said he gives Telkom “two thumbs up” for its new mobile offering. “It will only be good for the consumer and keep us on our toes.” — Staff reporter, TechCentral
- More to follow on Friday, including an interview with Telkom SA MD Nombulelo “Pinky” Moholi
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