MTN to launch HSDPA in first quarter 2006

Pity they won't lower their prices. With such high speeds, you will reach your cap (bundle) wayyy too soon.
 
They'll have to, there will be no way to compete with Vodacom if they dont, because Voda has said they will drop prices
 
Yep..

Part of the final preparations for MTN before the release of HSDPA will include formulating its strategy on the issue of bandwidth capping considering the amount of data users will be able to download with the higher speeds provided by HSDPA and working on a real time data monitor which users will be able to check to know how much data they have used during the month, Seligmann says.
Click to expand...

It all boils down to capping and cost... They're a little prem in saying that it will compete with ADSL. It is a different product and a mobile one at that, but if that's all it's got in it's favour, then the numbers will never rival ADSL - it will remain a niche product....

If they look at cost and cap, however....
 
At that price it works out to way too much per gig. Dunno how they expect to compete with ADSL. Don't the companies see that it helps fckall increasing the speed without decreasing prices.
 
Hi,

I'm the journo who wrote the article. On the pricing issue, Seligmann says when MTN dropped the pricing from between R50 and R10 per MB to between R2 and R0.47, he says they did this anticipating the increased usage of data.

He says they could have used a more gradula approach, but they decided to be drastic about it. He says there is therefore no room for further reductions if the near future.

It is unlikely that Vodacom or Cell C will provide cheaper rates

However, I still don't think its value for money. In Sweden they are providing 100MB lines to houses by the end of 2006 for abour US$ 60 a month. Makes you think doesn't it!

Seligmann agreed that the capping problem is an issue and that users will use more with the improved speeds. So we'll have to see what MTN does about it. They will have to provide live updates on data usage so people know when their bundles are running out...
 
MTN only dropped their prices because Vodacom dropped theirs! And Vodacom is going to drop theirs again, so i'm pretty much sure MTN will have no choice but to follow.
 
Data prices are expected to stay at R2 per Megabyte down
Click to expand...

*cough * cough * I use on average 200MBs+ (down) a day on ADSL. That'll be roughly R400/day - absurd!
That'll be something like R1880/mo at the R0.47 rate!

Everything is too bloody expensive over here - why is that?
 
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The dude from the Vodacom forum hinted they are looking at models for usage between 1am and 6am when the network is dead quiet.

If they can come up with some unique model like maybe unmetered usage during those hours or maybe something like 5c per MB, it could very well compete with ADSL, at least in the "couple-of-Gigs-a-month" market.
 
Oh they got the part about competing with ADSL right. They're going to compete to see who can screw over the average SA citizen the most
 
I have the 1Gig 3G contract with the laptop from MTN for R999 per month for 24 months.

What will happen in my case? Will I automatically be upgraded to HSDPA or will my subscribtion increase?

I do realise the fact that I will need to cough up the odd R3000 for the card though...

Will HSDPA replace 3G in the end? If they can for once in their life keep a promise, I can sure tell you that that speeds will make my life a joy!

:cool:
 
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