IS mobile broadband pricing
Internet Solutions (IS) launched its ‘unified mobile broadband data bundle’ that integrates 3G, GPRS and HSPDA connectivity with IS Wi-Fi HotSpot access. This, according to IS, enables users to find the most cost effective and efficient mobile means of connecting to the internet.
“Whether IS customers roam via IS’ or partnered Wi-Fi networks, or utilise 3G/HSDPA via either the Vodacom or MTN network, all usage is depleted from a single data bundle,” says Brett Steingo, Mobile Business Unit Manager at IS.
Steingo points out that the optimal cost benefits of using the solution are realised when mobile broadband and Wi-Fi access is integrated. “For IS users, per MB access through Wi-Fi HotSpots is half the cost of 3G access, and is available at major locations like airports, hotels and conference centres,” he says. “Users can also associate their mobile phones to their IS data bundle, which will significantly reduce the cost of accessing the internet via their handset.”
Will you save money?
IS charges R 130 for a 250 MB bundle, R 190 for a 500 MB bundle, R 290 for 1 GB, R 490 for 2 GB and R 1190 for 5 GB. These prices are significantly higher than both MTN and Vodacom, but IS’ out-of-bundle rate of 80c per MB is competitive when compared to the three cellular operators. MTN and Vodacom also allow for 30 day bandwidth rollover which is not applicable to the IS offerings.
Telkom’s pricing – which is more aggressive than Vodacom and MTN – gives a lower out-of-bundle and in-bundle rate. This is also the case with SAINET, an ISP which recently launched mobile broadband offerings.
Steingo however explains that the IS unified mobile broadband roaming solution is not aimed at consumers, but rather at corporate clients who will buy a large mobile data allowance which is then divided among their employees.
The IS mobile broadband pricing model allows for individual users which are part of a corporate to use up to 200% of their monthly usage allowance without going out-of-bundle, assuming that the corporate data allowance is not exceeded. This, Steingo explained, significantly reduces the need for bandwidth rollover.
An added advantage is that users of the IS unified mobile broadband roaming solution will save 50% on the standard data price when using the service in a hotspot area. This will be particularly valuable to users who frequently travel and spend a fair amount of time in airports and hotels where IS has hotspot access.
The following pricing comparison table should therefore not be taken on face value, but rather interpreted in terms of the benefits which each provider brings to end users.
| 500 MB | 1 GB | 2 GB | Out-of-bundle | |
| IS Mobile Broadband | R 190 | R 290 | R 490 | 0.80 |
| Vodacom HSDPA | R 189 | R 289 | R 389 | 1.20 |
| MTN HSDPA | R 189 | R 289 | R 389 | 1.20 |
| Telkom HSDPA | R 149 | R 219 | R 349 | 0.30 |
| SAINET** | R 149 | R 249 | R 369 | 0.50 |
IS mobile broadband pricing discussion
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