Not all data is priced equally

DIFFERENTIATED BUNDLES: SAVE HUNDREDS A MONTH

Figure out which services you or your family use heavily, and bolt-on specific bundles for them.

Mobile operators have begun distinguishing between different kinds of traffic and providing differentiated data bundles for services like WhatsApp, social media platforms, and music and video services such as YouTube. The prices of these bundles (or “tickets” for Vodacom) are significantly lower than the networks’ typical data bundles.

The 1GB video bundles, for example, cost between R50 (MTN) and R60 (Telkom and Vodacom) and offer access to either only YouTube (MTN), or a range of video services (like DStv Now and Showmax) in Telkom and Vodacom’s case.

Compare this to the price of a standard 1GB bundle valid for a month, which ranges from R100 (Telkom’s FreeMe Prepaid Summer promotion) to R149 (other three networks).

Given its pervasiveness, and relatively low data footprint (versus social and video services), WhatsApp bundles are the most common across the four mobile operators. MTN and Vodacom each offer WhatsApp-specific bundles, while Cell C offers ShoutOut bundles for access to both WhatsApp and Facebook (excluding calling on either, and Facebook Messenger). WhatsApp messaging and calling is already free on all Telkom’s FreeMe plans.

For other services, excluding WhatsApp, the operators offer different bundles. MTN’s bundles are specific to each service: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Vodacom offers a Social Ticket which includes a data allocation for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for a day, week or month. Telkom doesn’t yet offer social-specific bundles, but its data pricing is arguably SA’s most competitive. Telkom offers competitively priced bolt-on music and video streaming bundles via its LIT service. But customers on the Telkom FreeMe 2GB plan or above get a music streaming allocation; those on a FreeMe 5GB plan or above get free video streaming along with music.

LIT music streaming allocation (10GB fair usage) for FreeMe customers on FreeMe 2GB and above. Includes Apple Music, Google Play Music and Simfy Africa. LIT Music monthly bundle (10GB) for all Telkom customers.

LIT video streaming allocation (50GB fair usage) to FreeMe customers on FreeMe 5GB and above. Includes YouTube, Google Play Movies, Netflix (SA), DStv Now and Showmax.

Includes Apple Music, Deezer and Joox.

Includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Includes YouTube, DStv Now, Showmax and VuClip.

MTN’s social and WhatsApp bundles are only available to prepaid customers. Vodacom tickets are available to all customers (prepaid, top-up and contract), as are Cell C’s ShoutOut bundles (valid until January 31). Telkom’s LIT bundles are available to its entire mobile customer base.

Hilton Tarrant works at YFM.