Cell C vs Vodacom, 3GB prepaid and Internet starter pack
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Cell C 3GB prepaid vs Vodacom Internet starter pack
Cell C recently launched a prepaid 3GB bundled service, taking on Vodacom’s Internet Starter Pack and MTN’s 75MB F@stlink contract
In November 2010 Vodacom launched its ‘Internet Starter Pack’ – a data service which includes a 3G USB modem (ZTE K3570z), 100 MB of data per month for 12 months and a SIM pack for a once-off price of R399.
This service is aimed at the low end of the market which previously used small data bundles or out of bundle data services.
Vodacom’s Internet Starter Pack works out much cheaper for low end users. A Vodacom 110MB data bundle, for example, is priced at R88 per month while a 3.6 Mbps HSPA USB modem costs around R400. If the Internet Starter Pack components are therefore bought separately, the total yearly cost for a ‘full service’ equates to R1,456 instead of the current R399.
Cell C has now launched their own low-end offering: a 3GB data bundle which lasts for 12 months and a USB dongle priced at R749 once off.
Consumers who already own a dongle also have the option of purchasing a 3GB data bundle which is valid for a year at R399 once off.
The ‘long-life’ 3GB data bundle for Cell C is particularly suited to be used in devices which are used infrequently to access the Internet via a 3G network like the iPad or other tablet PCs.
MTN has also launched a 75MB F@stlink data service, which includes 75MB of monthly data and an E1750 data card, priced at R59 per month on a 24 month contract.
Basic Pricing Comparison
The following table provides an overview of how the three services compare on price.
[table style="1"]
| Entry-level mobile broadband deals | |||||
| Service | USB Dongle | Data Per Month | Cost | Effective Monthly Cost | Effective Cost/MB (Exclusing Modem at R350) |
| Cell C 3GB | 7.2Mbps USB Speed Stick | 256MB | R749 | R62.42 | 13c |
| MTN F@astlink | F@astlink E1750 | 75MB | R708 | R59.00 | 53c |
| Vodacom Internet Starter Pack | K3570-Z USB Modem | 100MB | R399 | R33.25 | 4c |
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It should be noted that Cell C’s 3GB deal has the advantage of using the data as you see fit during the twelve month period, while the Vodacom and MTN deals mean that the data bundles provide users with a monthly data quota which must be used within that month.
Source: Mybroadband
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