Broken SIM? Subscribers pay for replacements
In order to connect to a mobile network in South Africa users need a subscriber identity module, or SIM.
Without this little smart card subscribers can’t make or receive calls, send or receive messages, or access the web from their mobile phone.
This means that contract users can’t access their monthly call, messaging, or data allotments that may be included in the cost of their contract without a SIM either.
However, if your SIM is damaged for whatever reason it is you who will have to foot the bill for a new one, and many of the operators don’t ask an insignificant amount for this.
When it comes to contract customers, MTN charges around R125 for a new SIM, Vodacom asks R63, Virgin Mobile levies a fee R55, and a Cell C SIM swap will cost you R29.
These fees may be different between different stores
Asked why replacement SIMs are so expensive considering that new SIM cards can be purchased for under R1, Vodacom explained that the risks associated with a contract SIM swap are far greater than with a prepaid SIM.
“This makes the administrative processes for contract SIM swaps more complex and time consuming. Our dealer network performs these tasks on our behalf and need to be paid for their services,” said Vodacom spokesperson Nomsa Thusi.
This doesn’t explain why MTN charges double that of its nearest competitor, however. According to one of the supervisors at the MTN complaints division, the SIM swap fee may be waived if subscribers take “Y’ello SIM cover” for an additional R3 per month.
MTN was contacted for comment but didn’t respond by the time of publication.
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