Cell C’s broadband plans
Cell C last year said that it was reviewing its mobile data strategy, with potential plans to invest in a 3G/HSDPA network. Since this announcement the company has been quiet on its mobile broadband plans, and according to the latest feedback it is still under review.
According to Steve Boiles, Cell C’s acting chief technical officer, the company is constantly reviewing the evolution of its network infrastructure and capability to offer new and exciting services. “This involves reviewing the market requirements, maturity of the technology options and executing a strategy that best fits its customers in providing the services they require,” said Boiles.
According to Boiles rolling out a 3G network remains on the cards: “Rolling out a 3G/HSDPA network to complement our existing 100% EDGE coverage is one such option that is currently being reviewed.”
Boiles pointed out that Cell C is still attaining triple digit data growth year on year on its EDGE network and that it has recently upgraded its entire EDGE core network and associated radio infrastructure to accommodate future data growth.
A cheaper option than investing in their own 3G/HSDPA network will be to piggyback on Vodacom’s extensive third generation network. Cell C already has a roaming agreement with Vodacom for its voice services, but has previously indicated that prohibitive wholesale costs for data roaming on the Vodacom network limits a potential partnership in this regard.
Partnerships are, however, still on the cards, and Cell C indicated that it was keen to look at synergies in the broadband space. “Cell C embraces business models where the relative strengths of the various industry players can be combined and leveraged. This approach extends also to broadband services,” said Boiles.
Cell C said, however, that it was currently not in a position to comment on whether it was investigating partnerships with other companies regarding the provisioning of broadband services.
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