HSDPA data cards scarce
At the time of Vodacom’s launch many Vodashops had the new HSDPA cards in stock, and most users in the major metro-poles were able to get their hands on one of these cards.
Shortly after their launch Vodacom announced their free swap-out deal, where data subscribers could upgrade their old 3G card for free, which predictably resulted in the new HSDPA cards ‘selling’ out quickly. This announcement, which could cost Vodacom as much as R 100-million, was widely welcomed by broadband consumers and is seen as a good example of customer service which will hopefully pave the way for other providers to follow suit.
Unfortunately this generous exchange policy, coupled with an international shortage of HSDPA cards, created a supply chain nightmare for the cellular giant. According to Vodacom this was expected and communicated to the subscriber base via various methods and the assurance was given that everyone would receive their faster HSDPA card as stock becomes available.
Unlike Vodacom who had thousands of cards at the time of their launch MTN still has problems getting the new HSDPA cards to prospective consumers.
MTN announced the launch of their HSDPA service in late March, but the availability of data cards remains a major obstacle.
MTN assured customers that the cards would be on the shelves in time for Easter, which came and went. This deadline was then adjusted to the end of April and that target also seems to have passed without a suitable explanation.
A few phone calls revealed that the new cards are still very hard to come by but MyADSL did manage to find one outlet with stock. The price of MTN’s card was however vastly different from the R 1600 quoted in the press recently. The Sierra Wireless cards sold by MTN currently retail for over R 3400-00 per card which is a far cry from the R1600 we were expecting to fork out.
According to an ITWeb report MTN is also considering a trade-in program for existing 3G users, but it is not certain if they will follow the same generous path as Vodacom.
The data card shortages are certainly frustrating for users, but consumers should keep in mind that both the cellular giants are HSDPA pioneers which is usually accompanied by problems like equipment availability and technical hick-ups.
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