SOUTH AFRICA - DATA IS FINALLY FALLING AS VODACOM SLASHES PRICES BY 34% AND MTN TO FOLLOW

MTN said it will make an announcement about data prices by the end of March.

This after the Competition Commission mandated Vodacom and MTN to reach an agreement with it to cut data prices.

Vodacom on Tuesday cut data prices by 34%, and said it will give consumers free access to job portals, and Facebook flex.

MTN plans to make an announcement about data prices by the end of March, after it was mandated to cut prices by the Competition Commission.

Vodacom, MTN’s main competitor and South Africa’s largest cellular network provider, on Tuesday cut data prices by much as 34% for April after reaching an agreement with the Competition Commission.

Also read: Cell C and Rain still have much cheaper data – even after Vodacom’s 30% price slash
The commission, whose ruling became binding last year, slammed Vodacom and MTN for misusing their local market dominance to maintain "price discrimination strategies".


It said evidence suggested that there was scope for these mobile operators to reduce their data prices by between 30% to 50%, and the telecommunication giants were mandated to reach an agreement to cut prices with it.

MTN said it continues to have constructive discussions with the Competition Commission.


“We look forward to making an announcement, in this regard, before the end of this month.” MTN South Africa’s executive for corporate affairs Jacqui O’Sullivan said.

In its agreement reached with the Competition Commission, Vodacom said it would cut the price of  1GB prepaid data from R149 a month to R99 starting in April. 1GB at MTN currently costs R149.

Vodacom’s Joosub said the new agreement will also give users free to job portals, Facebook Flex, Wikipedia, other educational content, health services and government services.

At the time, the Competition Commission Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele said negotiations were in "quite advanced" stages with certain mobile operators, and new price deals should be announced soon, Fin24 reported.

via - BUSINESSINSIDER