Cheapest 1GB mobile data in South Africa

South African cellular users looking for the most affordable prepaid 1GB mobile data bundles should consider using a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).
There are several reasons why these service providers are often able to sell mobile data at significantly cheaper prices than the established players.
MVNOs piggyback off the infrastructure of major mobile network operators (MNOs) like Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C through roaming agreements.
These operators don’t have to deal with the significant costs of rolling out and maintaining radio access equipment, keeping their operating expenditures down.
They are also often part of larger businesses like banks or retailers, which means the revenue they generate is ancillary to the main company’s income.
In some cases, an MVNO might be used to help drive customer expenditure on core revenues — like grocery sales or bank transaction fees — but its primary objective is not to make huge profits.
That enables the division to price its products aggressively or with slim profit margins while not causing any major cost headaches for the larger businesses.
In addition, MVNOs often offer much more cost-effective online or in-store onboarding systems, minimising expenses on office or branch space and face-to-face staff.
The costs associated with the latter can be significant for MNOs.
MyBroadband looked for the most affordable 1GB prepaid mobile data bundles with at least a 30-day validity period and found eight MVNOs with bundles priced at R50 or less.
We also identified 12 MVNOs with cheaper prices than the four big mobile networks.
The most affordable was Afrihost Air Mobile, which offers a R30 1GB mobile data bundle valid until the end of the next month in which it is bought.
Shoprite K’Nect and Axxess Mobile were tied for the second most affordable at R39 for their bundles.
K’nect Mobile’s bundle is valid for 30 days by default but can be extended by another 30 days if the customer wishes.
Axxess Mobile’s 1GB bundles are automatically valid for 90 days.
However, Shoprite’s data bundles are half-price for those customers with MoneyMarket accounts. Signing up to this product is completely free.
Capitec Connect had the third most affordable 1GB data.
However, this is only available when consuming directly from airtime at R4.50 per 100MB and not as a dedicated bundle. The upside of this is that the data does not expire.
Spot Mobile was the fourth most affordable by R1, while Rain was the only major MNO with a 1GB prepaid bundle that was competitive with the MVNOs — priced at R50.
It should be emphasised that big mobile network customers can often benefit from reduced rates and special bundles on contracts, which are not available via MVNOs.
In addition, the MNOs tend to offer good value for higher-allocation data bundles and uncapped services but throttled fixed-use packages.
The table below compares the most affordable 1GB prepaid mobile data prices available in South Africa.
Operator | Validity | Price |
---|---|---|
Afrihost Air Mobile | 30 days minimum 60 days maximum | R30 |
Shoprite K’Nect Mobile | 30 days 60 days option | R39 (R19.50 with MoneyMarket account) |
Axxess Mobile | 90 days | R39 |
Capitec Connect | Unlimited (pay-as-you-use) | R45 |
Spot Mobile | 30 days | R49 |
RainMobile | Unlimited | R50 |
Standard Bank Connect | Unlimited | R50 |
Me&You Mobile | 30 days | R55 |
Melon Mobile | 30 days | R55 |
FNB Connect | 30 days | R59 |
TFG Connect | 30 days | R69 (includes 1GB night-time data) |