MTN 79c per minute - a game-changer

The main problem with this, why it lacks the 'wow' factor mentioned, is it excludes contract subscribers. I feel like I'm being totally shafted by MTN now, every time I make a call at more than twice the cost. MTN contract is no longer an actual option - it's now a toss-up between Cell C contract and MTN prepaid
 
MTN are not doing themselves any favours actually, it seems the strategy is to lock-in CellC in the hope that CellC will not be able to satisfy debt obligations that are going to become due. The strategy simply won't work with CellC generating more revenue if the total voice call traffic increases due to asymmetry. The math is very simple MTN lowering call rates means CellC revenues go up - MTN slashing by 20c only sees CellC not getting an additional 18.9c on top of their already generated profit on a call.

A future for CellC depends on the company getting a half a billion rand injection from somewhere and with MTN setting themself up to be adversely inflicted significantly by CellC persisting on course the reasons for CellCs backers to step in increases. Add to that the fact that MTN walked away the wally in the law suit and we are anxiously waiting for CTR regulations that are likely to bolster the case for CellC. Add to that the opportunities in data - the ISPs need to get into mobile data - and the situation for CellC is better now than it was in January.
 
entrepr said:
The main problem with this, why it lacks the 'wow' factor mentioned, is it excludes contract subscribers. I feel like I'm being totally shafted by MTN now, every time I make a call at more than twice the cost. MTN contract is no longer an actual option - it's now a toss-up between Cell C contract and MTN prepaid
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My general take is that CellC has always suffered in getting that wow factor and tying it into attracting
The infinity products uptake is what I would call for if I was an investor and I do believe that at R999 they are R200 shy of a sweet spot failing which maybe taking a page from MTNs handbook and introducing a weekly open calls product (with 250 megs data) at R249 (so R249 per week) could rumble things.

By way of example I've just splashed together a build your own contract:
Lumia 520 (the cheapo)
200 Minutes
200 SMSes
2248 MB data
comes in at R399
and then you have 99c per minute and 99c per meg and overpriced SMSes and a 24 month lock-in to a provider you aren't quite sure of ...
the inclination to go to MTN or Vodacom and be contract bound is still dominant

Now at R299 over 24 months it would be attractive and if CellC really bet on a sector of the population and introduced a product offering that saw the R399 price per month with more innovative prepaid structures in place. (An initial deposit of R1500 and R400 EFT payments / airtime purchasing (so use USSD to "pay towards the account" - lots of dealing with the NCA to look into and there is risk involved but ultimately if there isn't payment discontinue the phone [there is an app for that ...])
 
Why does everybody repeat the 79c part but nobody talks about the bundle validity period? Personally I think MTN is busy with smoke and mirrors here. Poor uneducated people are not going to spend less money on airtime.
 
I'll react when they have removed the word "promotional" and also whether CellC has responded accordingly with lower permanent prices.I just want lower permanent prices and not these silly and complicated promotions from the big two.
 
Johand said:
Why does everybody repeat the 79c part but nobody talks about the bundle validity period? Personally I think MTN is busy with smoke and mirrors here. Poor uneducated people are not going to spend less money on airtime.
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Exactly this is just a clever ploy and the media seems to ignore the fact that these bundles expire after just a day or two which is ridiculously pathetic. Because of the bundles I would say Cell C can still claim lowest flat rate.... Since you don't have to jump through hoops to achieve it, it's just there always available for use.
 
Johand said:
Why does everybody repeat the 79c part but nobody talks about the bundle validity period? Personally I think MTN is busy with smoke and mirrors here. Poor uneducated people are not going to spend less money on airtime.
Click to expand...


falcon786 said:
Exactly this is just a clever ploy and the media seems to ignore the fact that these bundles expire after just a day or two which is ridiculously pathetic. Because of the bundles I would say Cell C can still claim lowest flat rate.... Since you don't have to jump through hoops to achieve it, it's just there always available for use.
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You DO NOT have to buy the bundles to get the rate. Its a flat fixed rate on the Pay per second price plan which is the default price plan when activating a new staterpack.. No expiry you just need to be on the price plan to get that rate and use the airtime when you want too.

The PAYG bundles are optional extra that gives more value for free.
 
I am waiting for the 6 month court order for Icasa to rectify the issue and then will further wait to see what Cell C does thereafter. Until then, I am still a Cell C subscriber. I will not be fooled by these so-called promotions by either MTN and Vodacom.
 
The positive thing for me about all this is that we finally have the foundations of mobile operators shaken...and it's high time.

For too long the only beneficiary was the SP while the client was being sucked dry. Now we are moving closer to a situation where both sides will be equally dissatisfied and that my friends is a good deal.
 
cavedog said:
You DO NOT have to buy the bundles to get the rate. Its a flat fixed rate on the Pay per second price plan which is the default price plan when activating a new staterpack.. No expiry you just need to be on the price plan to get that rate and use the airtime when you want too.

The PAYG bundles are optional extra that gives more value for free.
Click to expand...

Sorry - my bad. I actually went through the terms and conditions to finally get a clear answer on that. The PAYG bundles does slightly confuse the matter. But yes, 79c per minute for prepaid taken from your airtime - they PAYG are something totally seperate.
 
Falco said:
The positive thing for me about all this is that we finally have the foundations of mobile operators shaken...and it's high time.
For too long the only beneficiary was the SP while the client was being sucked dry. Now we are moving closer to a situation where both sides will be equally dissatisfied and that my friends is a good deal.
Click to expand...
+1
MTN's price drop will surely force CellC into reacting (cos the biggest thing CellC has going for it is price, and if they lose that, they're in trouble), which is only good for us all. And if Voda doesn't react, they'll start to see people move away (as they've sen previously). So this MTN promo/price-cut/smoke&mirrors/whatever .... it's only a good thing for the market.
This is the price war we've been looking for!
And well done to MTN for being up for the fight.

Now... CellC ... c'mon, and show us how this ***** is really done!
 
Cell C don't need to react, they can claim to be the cheapest one as well. However something is going wrong with Cell C, they recently scrapped 15c/MB OOB data rate. It will upset many existing customers.
 
This is sick logic

I just confirmed with MTN and on my MTN Topup 200 I DO NOT get the 79c benefit on my included airtime.

I still pay R2.50 per minute on Zone. I have to get a 70% discount on my basic, which is never when I want to make a call

Only way to benefit is to cancel and start again on prepaid :wtf:
 
entrepr said:
This is sick logic

I just confirmed with MTN and on my MTN Topup 200 I DO NOT get the 79c benefit on my included airtime.

I still pay R2.50 per minute on Zone. I have to get a 70% discount on my basic, which is never when I want to make a call

Only way to benefit is to cancel and start again on prepaid :wtf:
Click to expand...


MTN top up do qualify for the 79c BUT you need to disable MTN Zone and you need bought airtime. Inclusive airtime sadly does not count. Yeah it sucks.

I would suggest you check *135# during the day every hour. The discount on the hour has been increased to 80% to MTN and 70% to Other mostly. Sometimes more but this is the minimum I think. Its only valid for 15min the start of every hour between 6am and 6pm during the week. So yeah if you use that you get a rate of 75c per minute to other and 50c per minute to MTN. This works with your inclusive airtime. So although not ideal its still some sort of way to reduce your cost on yout top up contract.
 
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