Spar also has mobile network running on mtn?

I noticed. Some flyers at the tills. Looked through them. Nothing really to write home about.
Some non-expiring bundles, some not. Nothing that other MVNOs aren't already doing. Some mobile rewards if you shop there, can't remember the details.
@Jan maybe you guys can do an articl.e
 
ajax said:
I noticed. Some flyers at the tills. Looked through them. Nothing really to write home about.
Some non-expiring bundles, some not. Nothing that other MVNOs aren't already doing. Some mobile rewards if you shop there, can't remember the details.
@Jan maybe you guys can do an articl.e
Click to expand...
Good suggestion. A article should be done on this. You're right, nothing much to write home about....
 
it seems like everybody and their dog is making a MVNO, even if they all run on either vodacom or MTN infrastructure
underneath, weird,

is it that hard to build your own cell towers and infrastructure in SA? or is it due to SA being large that it works out cheaper that way?
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
it seems like everybody and their dog is making a MVNO, even if they all run on either vodacom or MTN infrastructure
underneath, weird,

is it that hard to build your own cell towers and infrastructure in SA? or is it due to SA being large that it works out cheaper that way?
Click to expand...

Vandalism of equipment / infrastructure would be my guess. Costing MTN and Vodacom Billions to maintain. This way it's zero risk and just profit.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
it seems like everybody and their dog is making a MVNO, even if they all run on either vodacom or MTN infrastructure
underneath, weird,

is it that hard to build your own cell towers and infrastructure in SA? or is it due to SA being large that it works out cheaper that way?
Click to expand...
anything is easy, you just need a F-ton of money.

Spar is not a mobile operator, neither are the other MVNO's, with the exception of Cell-C (previously), who quickly realised just how much money you have to burn through to build an even semi-decent network.

I've worked in the mobile industry before, the over-heads and associated costs are huge.
 
JibbersCrabst said:
Why do the networks allow the MVNO's to undercut their own pricing?
Click to expand...
They sell it on a wholesale basis, the retail price is then up to the individual retailer - when you consider all the various value-adds, bundle validity, promotions etc. it becomes hard to compare them like for like. So what might appear as an undercutting might actually not be.

I would imagine though, that there might be instances where the operators overheads are so huge, they end up adding so much mark-up onto their own wholesale rate that they are outpriced by a low-overhead MVNO. I don't have facts to back this up though, pure speculation.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
it seems like everybody and their dog is making a MVNO, even if they all run on either vodacom or MTN infrastructure
underneath, weird,

is it that hard to build your own cell towers and infrastructure in SA? or is it due to SA being large that it works out cheaper that way?
Click to expand...
Blame Icasa for not having regional operators. That would make it easier to focus on certain areas. It's also the reason why Cell C couldn't make it having to provide nationwide rural coverage as part of their license conditions.
 
Swa said:
Blame Icasa for not having regional operators. That would make it easier to focus on certain areas. It's also the reason why Cell C couldn't make it having to provide nationwide rural coverage as part of their license conditions.
Click to expand...
problem is with a regional operators, wont we have too many?
and why havent any come together for this previously, it is just ICASA being stupid?
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
problem is with a regional operators, wont we have too many?
and why havent any come together for this previously, it is just ICASA being stupid?
Click to expand...
Every province has space for at least 5. They won't be competing on the level of the two big ones but instead offer a value proposition in certain areas. In a sense we have that with Rain but need to expand it with easier license conditions and access to spectrum.
As usual. Just take a look at how long it's taking to assign the national spectrum. Now imaging we had a system where portions of spectrum is assigned to some operators for certain areas.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
is it that hard to build your own cell towers and infrastructure in SA? or is it due to SA being large that it works out cheaper that way?
Click to expand...
Not hard to build, but hard to get the required licenses for the spectrum. ANC doesn't make entry into business opportunities easy.
 
MachoPants said:
Not hard to build, but hard to get the required licenses for the spectrum. ANC doesn't make entry into business opportunities easy.
Click to expand...
so its a combination of SA's size, difficult business conditions, red tape and bureaucracy that preventing us from having many options available like they do in the US or elsewhere 1st world.

what I cant understand is why is it so difficult, when the benefits are plainly obvious, or just like starlink, the ANC wants to make sure its cash cow (BEE) keeps bringing milk.
 
The_MAC said:
They sell it on a wholesale basis, the retail price is then up to the individual retailer - when you consider all the various value-adds, bundle validity, promotions etc. it becomes hard to compare them like for like. So what might appear as an undercutting might actually not be.

I would imagine though, that there might be instances where the operators overheads are so huge, they end up adding so much mark-up onto their own wholesale rate that they are outpriced by a low-overhead MVNO. I don't have facts to back this up though, pure speculation.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your insight. I agree, it definitely feels like these offerings are deliberately structured to make direct comparisons nearly impossible. Mobile plans are starting to resemble medical aids or insurance policies, layered, complex, and borderline absurd. Strange times indeed.
 
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