Cell C contract price hikes on the way
Cell C has unveiled a number of changes to its range of voice contracts, including its Straight Up and SmartChat packages.
Among the changes coming to Cell C postpaid packages on 1 February 2015 is the dropping of the entire SmartChat product range.
Existing subscribers will be able to stay on SmartChat for the duration of their contract, and enjoy a reduction in out-of-bundle (OOB) data pricing from 99c per Megabyte (MB) to 79c/MB.
Straight Up contract and top up packages will continue to be available after 1 February 2015, but at prices which are 10% higher (or more, in the case of Straight Up 30).
OOB voice rates on Straight Up plans will also increase from 99c/minute to R1.05/minute, while Straight Up 100 and up will benefit from an increase in included data.
The table below summarises the Cell C Straight Up changes taking effect from 1 February 2015.
Cell C Contract changes | Straight Up Standard | Straight Up 30 | Straight Up 50 | Straight Up 100 | Straight Up 200 | Straight Up 400 | Straight Up 800 |
Price (Old) | R 0.00 | R 30.00 | R 50.00 | R 100.00 | R 200.00 | R 400.00 | R 800.00 |
Price (New) | R 0.00 | R 35.00 | R 55.00 | R 110.00 | R 220.00 | R 440.00 | R 880.00 |
Minutes | 0 | 30 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | 800 |
SMS | 0 | 30 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | 800 |
Data (old) | 0MB | 30MB | 50MB | 100MB | 200MB | 400MB | 800MB |
Data (new) | 0MB | 30MB | 50MB | 200MB | 400MB | 800MB | 1,600MB |
Call rate (old) | R 0.99 | R 0.99 | R 0.99 | R 0.99 | R 0.99 | R 0.99 | R 0.99 |
Call rate (new) | R 1.05 | R 1.05 | R 1.05 | R 1.05 | R 1.05 | R 1.05 | R 1.05 |
On its website, Cell C said the changes were part of the move to rationalise its suite of products.
“The review is part of our commitment to improve transparency and simplicity, while maximising the value our customers receive on our products,” Cell C said.
Another set of postpaid products which are set to get a price increase next year is Cell C’s Red Bull Mobile contract and top-up plans.
The table below shows how Cell C’s RBM packages are set to change.
Red Bull Mobile Contact and TopUp | RBM 100 | RBM 200 |
Old price | R 149.00 | R 250.00 |
New price | R 159.00 | R 269.00 |
Minutes | 100 | 200 |
SMS | 50 | 100 |
Data | 250MB | 500MB |
Cell C said the pricing changes detailed above were applicable to all existing subscribers who were active on any of the plans prior to 1 February 2015.
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