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Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 04-10-2017<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \n Mobile operator Vodacom says it will be cutting the cost of out-of-bundle prices for all customers by as much as 50%.<\/p>\n Vodacom and other mobile operators have come under increasing pressure for out-of-bundle data charges, which analysts say unfairly penalise end users, especially the poor.<\/p>\n The Competition Commission has also launched a market inquiry into the perceived ‘excessive’ cost of data in South Africa.<\/p>\n Vodacom says the reduction of out-of-bundle prices will come into effect from mid-October.<\/p>\n \u201cFor pre-paid and customers on top-up packages, the out-of-bundle rate will drop by as much as 50% once the new 99c per megabyte tariff comes into effect on 15 October. The out-of-bundle rate for post-paid customers was reduced from R1 per megabyte to 89c on 1 October.\u201d<\/p>\n Vodacom has recently introduced a series of measures to encourage in-bundle adoption and minimise out-of-bundle usage.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the last few years, we\u2019ve significantly brought down the cost of voice tariffs and moved customers to more affordable plans. We undertook to reduce out-of-bundle rates, and we\u2019ve now delivered on that too.\u201d<\/p>\n At the same time Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says more will be done by the network to increase network coverage.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to expand 4G coverage still further, and keep pace with an increase of more than 45% in sustained data traffic demand. Both of these come at a cost, and we have invested some R32.7 billion over the last four years.\u201d<\/p>\n Joosub says the lack of access to spectrum is hampering Vodacom\u2019s ability to drive down infrastructure costs and in turn, enable the mobile operator to pass savings to the consumer.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n