MTN is set to launch new flat-rated smartphone data packages similar to the popular BlackBerry Internet service (BIS) offerings.
Serame Taukobong, MTN South Africa’s chief marketing officer, confirmed today (3 February 2012) that the company is launching Smartphone Services, targeted at entry level smartphone users.
MTN’s smartphone services are aimed at niche smartphone users with planned products like the Nokia Smartphone Pro Service, MTN Smartphone Pro Service and MTN Opera Mini Internet Service.
Pricing is rumoured to be at a similar level or cheaper than current BlackBerry Internet Service prices.
Vodacom is also working on flat-rated smartphone data plans which will further bring competition to smartphone data market and in specific BlackBerry.
“This [flat-rated smartphone data plan] is something we look forward to because it will be very positive for Vodacom customers. Although we’re making good progress, we cannot divulge any specific details at this point in time,” said Vodacom spokesperson Nomsa Thusi.
Flat-rated data packages for platforms like Apple’s iPhone and Android can remove one of BlackBerry’s biggest advantages in the South African smartphone market.
Rui Brites, Product Director for Africa at Research In Motion (RIM), however, feels that the BlackBerry platform offers a superior, highly differentiated user experience.
“RIM’s global BlackBerry Infrastructure remains a core advantage for our business and is an integral part of RIM’s ability to deliver industry leading push services, security, manageability and spectral efficiency for RIM’s customers and partners,” says Brites.
“BlackBerry smartphones are also extremely efficient due to data compression through the BlackBerry Infrastructure, allowing operators to offer the kind of tariff plans that appeal to customers in South Africa.”
Rui added that on average, browsing the web is 2 times more efficient; email is 4 times more efficient; and social messaging is 2 times more efficient on a BlackBerry smartphone than other smartphones.
“This efficiency lowers roaming fees, allows a customer to do more on their data plan and also provides less strain on the carrier networks,” Brites concluded.
(with Vodacom)
