Broadband3.06.2013

MTN uncapped confusion

By Staff Writer

MTN has discontinued its Uncapped Lite and Uncapped Pro mobile broadband packages. On its BlackBerry Absolute package, however, the company may look to uncap at least some subscribers.

MTN launched its uncapped data packages on 1 June 2010, offering a 3GB package with 128kbps unlimited access thereafter for R749 per month, and a 10GB package with unlimited access at 128kbps after this limit for R1,999 per month.

In July 2011 MTN slashed the price of its Uncapped Lite package from R749 to R299, and its Broadband Uncapped Pro from R1,999 to R899.

In February 2012 MTN increased the “unlimited” speed from 128kbps to 256kbps for its Uncapped Lite service, and from 128kbps to 384kbps for its Uncapped Pro service.

The company has now discontinued both its uncapped mobile broadband products without an explanation.

MyBroadband contacted MTN for more information about this decision, but the operator could not provide information on why it discontinued its uncapped products.

MTN BlackBerry uncapped confusion

In a related development, MTN has informed some of their BlackBerry Absolute subscribers that it has restored their unlimited service.

In an SMS to some BlackBerry subscribers, MTN said: “MTN has restored your unlimited service on BlackBerry Absolute. Your service will not expire once your 200MB fair use allowance is used up.”

However, one MTN BlackBerry subscriber who received the SMS said that the cellular operator told him to ignore the message when he asked about it.

When MTN was asked whether its BlackBerry Absolute subscribers can once again enjoy unlimited data (hence without a 200MB monthly data cap), MTN could not provide any clarity on the issue.