Cell C is the process of reviewing its mobile data strategy, with an announcement expected by year end, its chief executive said on Friday. <\/p>\n
"We’re in process of reviewing our mobile data strategy. I can’t say much right now but we’ll make an announcement about next generation data products by year end," CEO Jeffery Hedberg told I-Net Bridge in a phone interview. <\/p>\n
Cell C currently serves its mobile data customers by its GPRS\/EDGE network, which promises speed of up to 244kb\/s. "We’re very pleased with our GPRS and EDGE network at the moment," said Hedberg. <\/p>\n
Cell is the only local operator that does not use 3G network. <\/p>\n
Dubbed the poor cousin to local operators MTN Group and Vodacom, Cell C failed to turn profit for seven years since its inception in 2001, only cracking open the champagne in the 2007 financial year. <\/p>\n
For the six months to June, total revenue has increased by R590m, a rise of 17%. Cell C has also recorded a strong improvement in operating profit of 36%, as compared to half year results of 2007 and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of R517m was achieved. <\/p>\n
Cell C’s active subscribers surged by 58% since June 2007 to 5.4m, largely due to the highly popular products such as Woza Weekend and the Hola 7 starter pack, resulting in a substantial increase in the volume of traffic on Cell C’s EDGE-enabled network. <\/p>\n
"Our new core network has enabled us to effectively manage this increase in our customer base," said Hedberg. <\/p>\n
"Had we not migrated to the new core network technology, we would have had to build a network three times its current size," he added. <\/p>\n
The focus for the remainder of the 2008 financial year would be on refining our processes and systems and ensuring an improved experience for its customers.<\/p>\n