Our prices will be aggressive – New South African LTE player

Wireless Business Solutions (WBS) has recently announced a multi-billion-rand investment in a new high-speed LTE-A national data network for South Africa.
The network will use WBS’s existing spectrum in the 1,800MHz and 2,600MHz bands. The two bands will be aggregated, which will enhance the capacity and performance of the network.
The LTE service will be marketed under a separate brand, which will be launched next year, with “innovative products and simplified pricing plans”.
Speaking to Business Day TV, WBS chairman Paul Harris said users can expect competitive prices and a quality network from the company.
While Harris could not provide details on how much cheaper they will be than the incumbent operators, he said that a new player will have to compete on price.
He added that their network will use the latest technologies, and provide service levels which are comparable to fibre.
“When we are up and running, give us a chance. The performance of our LTE-Advanced network will be as good as fibre, and definitely good enough for any consumer,” said Harris.
WBS is planning to start rolling out the network at the end of this year, and accelerate their network growth in 2017.
They will start in large metropolitan areas – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban – and then grow it to other areas.
The new network will be deployed on several of WBS’s 400 sites, and will be extended up to an additional 10,000 sites from independent tower companies and sites leased from other companies.
“All facilities leasing agreements concluded with other licensed operators will be lodged with ICASA in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements,” said WBS.
New national LTE-A network for South Africa