Only have R100 for a cellphone? No problem!
High-end smartphones dominate the news in the cellular market with Apple iOS, Google Android and BlackBerry fighting for market share.
It is not surprising that the glamorous smartphone market appeals to South African Internet users who are typically high LSM (Living Standards Measure) individuals, but South Africa’s mobile market is still largely a prepaid market which caters for individuals without lots of disposable income.
Vodacom, MTN and Cell C have been very successful in making it affordable for new cellular subscribers to get connected and receive calls. This was achieved through very low SIM starter pack prices (lower than R1 each) and cheaper mobile phones.
This drive is continuing, and it is currently not difficult to find a prepaid phone and starter pack for below R100. MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and 8ta have prepaid deals with prices starting from as low as R69.
These low-end prepaid deals are mainly stocked by companies like Pep and Jet which service lower LSM consumers.
Here are some of the cheapest prepaid cellular deals in South Africa:
| PEP Cellular | ||
| MTN | ||
| MTN S308 + MTN SP | 69 | Vibrate alert, polyphonic ringtone, flashlight, Slim and fashionable design, Game. Alarm |
| MTN S505 + MTN SP | 99 | Wireless FM radio, Vibrate alert, Polyphonic ringtone, flashlight, Slim and fashionable design, Game. |
| VODACOM | ||
| VODAFONE VF252 | 99 | FM Radio, Torch, Colour Screen, Games, Calculator, Alarm Clock |
| CELL C | ||
| CELL C FM LIVE | 99 | FM Radio, Torch, Calculator, Alarm Clock, Games |
| JET Cellular | ||
| 8ta | ||
| 8ta G2101 + 8ta SP | 100 | Free R5 airtime, FM Radio, Game, Color screen |
| VODACOM | ||
| VODAFONE VF252 | 99 | FM Radio, Torch, Colour Screen, Games, Calculator, Alarm Clock |
