{"id":118127,"date":"2015-02-04T12:59:14","date_gmt":"2015-02-04T10:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=118127"},"modified":"2015-02-04T13:00:11","modified_gmt":"2015-02-04T11:00:11","slug":"mobile-data-bundle-price-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/cellular\/118127-mobile-data-bundle-price-comparison.html","title":{"rendered":"Mobile data bundle price comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite a hike on\u00a01 February 2015, Cell C\u2019s prices on mobile data bundles below 500MB are still the cheapest in the business.<\/p>\n

On higher volume data bundles, however, Cell C doesn\u2019t compare as well.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of 2014 Cell C announced that it would be making a number of changes<\/a> to its product line-up from 1 February 2015.<\/p>\n

These changes included significant price hikes and a few price cuts on some data bundles, as well as the discontinuation of Cell C\u2019s 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB bundles.<\/p>\n

Many subscribers were caught off guard by the changes, and have taken to Cell C\u2019s Facebook page and Twitter to express their anger at the situation.<\/p>\n

To see if you can get a better deal elsewhere, we have compiled a comparison of the data bundles South African mobile operators have on offer, beginning with the 25MB to 500MB range.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mobile data bundle comparison 25MB – 500MB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
25MB and under<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C 25MB<\/td>\nR6<\/td>\nR0.24<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MTN 20MB + 11MB\/1d<\/td>\nR10<\/td>\nR0.50<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MTN 5MB + 2.57MB\/1d<\/td>\nR3<\/td>\nR0.60<\/td>\nR0.79<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vodacom 15MB<\/td>\nR9<\/td>\nR0.60<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telkom (All) 25MB<\/td>\nR15<\/td>\nR0.60<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30MB – 50MB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C 50MB<\/td>\nR10<\/td>\nR0.20<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MTN 50MB + 27.5MB\/3d<\/td>\nR19<\/td>\nR0.38<\/td>\nR0.79<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vodacom 30MB<\/td>\nR12<\/td>\nR0.40<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telkom (All) 50MB<\/td>\nR20<\/td>\nR0.40<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100MB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C<\/td>\nR19<\/td>\nR0.19<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vodacom<\/td>\nR29<\/td>\nR0.29<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MTN (+55MB\/3d)<\/td>\nR29<\/td>\nR0.29<\/td>\nR0.65<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telkom (All)<\/td>\nR30<\/td>\nR0.30<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
500MB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C<\/td>\nR85<\/td>\nR0.17<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vodacom<\/td>\nR99<\/td>\nR0.20<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MTN (+257MB\/5d)<\/td>\nR99<\/td>\nR0.20<\/td>\nR0.38<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telkom (All)<\/td>\nR95<\/td>\nR0.19<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telkom (Own)<\/td>\nR69<\/td>\nR0.14<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Some notes on the tables used in this comparison:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Only MTN data bundles lower your out-of-bundle rate<\/strong>. The 5MB and 50MB MTN bundles are the only ones that don\u2019t modify the out-of-bundle (OOB) rate.<\/li>\n
  2. Where a bundle does not modify your out-of-bundle rate, the OOB rate of an operator\u2019s default prepaid package is shown.<\/li>\n
  3. Telkom\u2019s bundle validity is given as \u201cInternet bundles will expire at the end of the next calendar month from the date of activation.\u201d<\/li>\n
  4. MTN is currently running promotions that offer bonus data on every bundle purchased, called the Data Giveback Promotions<\/strong>. Due to the limited validity of the bonus data, this is largely ignored except in the 1GB to 5GB range, where the bonus is valid for a 30 days.<\/li>\n
  5. Telkom (Own)<\/strong> refers to bundles that only work on Telkom\u2019s own mobile network, while Telkom (All)<\/strong> refers to bundles that can be used while roaming on MTN.<\/li>\n
  6. Cell C also offers prepaid subscribers bonus value (airtime, SMS, data) when they recharge, but these \u201cSupacharge<\/strong>\u201d bonuses only become valid for 30 days if you recharge with R300 or more. The bonus data values are small compared to MTN\u2019s, so they are not considered for the purpose of this comparison.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As the table above shows, Cell C offers very competitive rates when it comes to bundles below 500MB. However, the picture changes dramatically from 1GB onwards.<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Mobile data bundle comparison 1GB – 25GB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    1GB – 2GB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    MTN 1GB + 1GB\/30d<\/td>\nR149<\/td>\nR0.07<\/td>\nR0.29<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telkom (Own) 2GB + 1GB a\/h<\/td>\nR149<\/td>\nR0.07<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telkom (Own) 1GB<\/td>\nR119<\/td>\nR0.12<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cell C 2GB<\/td>\nR245<\/td>\nR0.12<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vodacom 2GB<\/td>\nR249<\/td>\nR0.12<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vodacom 1GB<\/td>\nR149<\/td>\nR0.15<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telkom (All) 2GB<\/td>\nR349<\/td>\nR0.17<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telkom (All) 1GB<\/td>\nR180<\/td>\nR0.18<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10GB – 25GB<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bundle<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nIn-bundle rate<\/th>\nOOB rate<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    MTN 5GB + 5GB\/30d<\/td>\nR399<\/td>\nR0.04<\/td>\nR0.29<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telkom (Own) 20GB<\/td>\nR999<\/td>\nR0.05<\/td>\nR1.00<\/td>\n28-60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vodacom 20GB<\/td>\nR999<\/td>\nR0.05<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cell C 10GB<\/td>\nR549<\/td>\nR0.05<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cell C 20GB<\/td>\nR1,099<\/td>\nR0.05<\/td>\nR0.99<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    MTN 10GB + 5.6GB\/15d<\/td>\nR599<\/td>\nR0.06<\/td>\nR0.29<\/td>\n60 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vodacom 10GB<\/td>\nR599<\/td>\nR0.06<\/td>\nR2.00<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

    The increase in Cell C\u2019s 2GB bundle price from R199 to R245 dramatically impacted its standing in the table above.<\/p>\n

    Where it would have been ahead of Telkom\u2019s 1GB bundle, and beaten only by an MTN promotion and Telkom\u2019s 2GB + 1GB deal, it instead barely beats Vodacom\u2019s prices.<\/p>\n

    Cell C\u2019s 20GB bundle also doesn\u2019t rank highly, despite a price decrease.<\/p>\n

    Its 10GB bundle performs better, but is beaten by MTN thanks to its Data Giveback special.<\/p>\n

    If MTN decides not to extend its Data Giveback promotions beyond 28 February 2015 these standings will change.<\/p>\n

    Until then, the yellow network\u2019s 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and 5GB data bundles offer fantastic value for money.<\/p>\n

    More mobile data articles<\/h3>\n

    MTN Data Share launched<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    Beware the R2 per MB out-of-bundle shark<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    New Cell C data prices released<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    Cell C contract price hikes on the way<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    Cell C hikes OOB data prices by 560%<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    With hikes to Cell C\u2019s data bundle prices taking effect, this is where the company’s offerings now stand in the market<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":102223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[355,1910,35,42,109,41],"class_list":["post-118127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cellular","tag-cell-c","tag-data-bundle","tag-headline","tag-mtn","tag-telkom","tag-vodacom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118127"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118127"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118171,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118127\/revisions\/118171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}