A month ago I would have said MTN, but now I'll have to go with Vodacom. My reasons are as follows:
1) Vodacom has MUCH better 3G coverage. I could get full HSPDA speeds when visiting my parents in Nylstroom. That's pretty amazing.
2) Vodacom's 3G packages are way better and more flexible. MTN tried to pull the wool over everybody's eyes with their 3G packages - but Vodacom actually made it better for the consumer.
3) I would not pay to much attention to the Telkom ownership thing. In the end the rich people get all of the money anyway. And funny enough - Vodacom seems to be the only real competition for Telkom. Besides, 2-1 says that Vodacom will not be owned 50% by Telkom soon.
4) Yesterday I had to wait 40 minutes in a queue @ MTN Service Center - and that was not because I had a problem, but because I want to upgrade. Imagine I had a real problem!
5) Vodacom's hardware supply chain is so much better and more consistent.
6) Vodacom does not threaten Skype and MXiT quite so often. I know they have their clauses regarding VoIP, but they don't seem to be as nasty as MTN in enforcing them.
7) MTN does not blacklist phones stolen in South Africa on their other networks in Africa. Y'ello Crime.
8) In general more people got Vodacom. Network-on-network rates are lower than cross-network calls.
9) MTN's call centre ALWAYS lose to Vodacom's call centre in studies. In fact MTN just about got the worst call centre in the history of mankind.
The only reason I won't go for Vodacom is because of that ridiculous Meerkat or whatever you want to call it. Oh ja - they charge you a large deposit when you want to roam.
Even if you don't use 3G now - don't shoot yourself in the foot and assume you are not going to use it within the next two years. Thus 3G IMHO is a big consideration. (3G is not just data - it also got better call quality!)
1) Vodacom has MUCH better 3G coverage. I could get full HSPDA speeds when visiting my parents in Nylstroom. That's pretty amazing.
2) Vodacom's 3G packages are way better and more flexible. MTN tried to pull the wool over everybody's eyes with their 3G packages - but Vodacom actually made it better for the consumer.
3) I would not pay to much attention to the Telkom ownership thing. In the end the rich people get all of the money anyway. And funny enough - Vodacom seems to be the only real competition for Telkom. Besides, 2-1 says that Vodacom will not be owned 50% by Telkom soon.
4) Yesterday I had to wait 40 minutes in a queue @ MTN Service Center - and that was not because I had a problem, but because I want to upgrade. Imagine I had a real problem!
5) Vodacom's hardware supply chain is so much better and more consistent.
6) Vodacom does not threaten Skype and MXiT quite so often. I know they have their clauses regarding VoIP, but they don't seem to be as nasty as MTN in enforcing them.
7) MTN does not blacklist phones stolen in South Africa on their other networks in Africa. Y'ello Crime.
8) In general more people got Vodacom. Network-on-network rates are lower than cross-network calls.
9) MTN's call centre ALWAYS lose to Vodacom's call centre in studies. In fact MTN just about got the worst call centre in the history of mankind.
The only reason I won't go for Vodacom is because of that ridiculous Meerkat or whatever you want to call it. Oh ja - they charge you a large deposit when you want to roam.
Even if you don't use 3G now - don't shoot yourself in the foot and assume you are not going to use it within the next two years. Thus 3G IMHO is a big consideration. (3G is not just data - it also got better call quality!)
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