DATA BEGINS TO FALL

On Tuesday, March the 10th there was a joint sitting – press briefing between the communication giant Vodacom and the Competition Commission.

They announced that Vodacom will embark on almost a 40% price cut on data as of April 1st, 2020. This is no April fool’s day prank, it is real, data is falling.

In his address to the media Dr. Mohamed Shameel Joosub Vodacom CEO said “the cuts come as a result of the concerns raised by the Competition Commission on the high prices of data in the country.”

The data cuts move is one of the most welcomed news by South Africans.

On a surprising move, MTN drops its data prices, South Africa CEO Godfrey Motsa on Friday announced the data cost drop. He said that the price of monthly data bundles for customers will now pay no more than R99 for 1GB, this is 33% lower than what they previously where 1Gig costs a little under R150 charge for 1Gig.

These exiting data cuts changes will be effective as from April 15, said Godfrey Motsa. At the briefing, Motsa said R99 will be a maximum price MTN would charge for a gig of data. Even though the competition was a bit surprised by the announcement they welcome it.

The data cuts from both the providers are as a result of the commission’s findings in a report that was released by the Competition Commission in December 2019.

The watchdog ruled that Vodacom and MTN should reduce its data prices by between 30% to 50% giving the two months to do so. The Competition Commission has been in negotiation with these communication giants.