Uncapped smartphone data in SA
Nashua Mobile’s flat-rated Xtreme Data packages for smartphones was an initiative from Nokia, a spokesperson for the cellular service provider recently explained to MyBroadband.
Nokia encouraged Nashua to implement the service with other manufacturers, which is the reason Xtreme Data packages recently became available for a handful of Samsung smartphones, Nashua Mobile said.
Asked whether manufacturers are financially involved in offering Xtreme Data, Nashua Mobile explained that while it covers the costs of the data, it does bundle deals with handset manufacturers.
Nashua Mobile also gets support from Nokia and Samsung for marketing purposes, the company said.
Nashua Mobile Xtreme Data deal recommendations for Samsung devices
No Samsung Galaxy S3 on Xtreme Data
A notable absence from Samsung’s line-up of devices supported on Xtreme Data is its flagship Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S3.
According to Nashua Mobile the device isn’t offered because Galaxy S3 customers typically don’t want to be constrained by limited data.
“Some products are well suited for our XD service and some others are better suited for a data bundle from us through the network,” the independent telecommunications service provider said.
“Should we have a demand in the future, we will continue to add value where we can and revise the tariff if it so requires.”
Nashua Mobile Xtreme Data explainer image
Wider brand support
Nashua Mobile also doesn’t have immediate plans to add more manufacturers to its Xtreme Data offering.
“For now XD will only be available on Nokia and Samsung, as this covers the majority of smartphone users on our base,” Nashua Mobile said.
“However if need be we may revisit the idea of adding more manufacturers.”
True wholesale cellular data services would reduce cost
A development in South Africa’s mobile telecommunications space that Nashua Mobile said it would welcome is the launch of a true wholesale APN.
The service provider said that while it does continue to negotiate better rates for its customers, a wholesale APN would result in immediate benefits.
“It would enable us to either offer XD to customers at a lower cost, or increase the average use threshold within the Fair Usage Policy,” Nashua Mobile said.
During a panel discussion at the 2012 MyBroadband Conference, Vodacom’s head of data Jannie van Zyl was asked if the red network would launch a “true wholesale APN” service.
Van Zyl said that he didn’t know the answer, deferring the question to his “EBU colleagues”.
“It is something I know that we’re working on – the whole proposition on how we do wholesale, but I can’t give you specific details,” Van Zyl said.
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