South Africa’s mobile network operator, Vodacom, is taking drastic steps to make broadband more accessible and affordable to the majority of people in the country.
During an interview with ITNewsAfrica, Vodacom Executive Head for Media Relations Richard Boorman confirmed that the company plans to make mobile data services more affordable and accessible for the average consumer.
Boorman says Vodacom plans will boost economic growth as well as create jobs.
“We are already hard at work making access to mobile data services more affordable and accessible to all. We have the largest network footprint in South Africa with more than 8 000 base stations, almost 5 000 of which are 3G enabled and we are continuing to roll out coverage to give everyone possible a decent connection,” he says.
“Mobile data was set to play a vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and improving the quality of life. To put the power of the Internet in people’s hands, we offered the cheapest touch screen Android phone on the market in 2010,” Boorman adds.
Vodacom is planning to launch the Vodafone branded smartphone that will cost less than a ZAR R1 000 (about USD $143.32).
“On top of this we have also launched the Vodafone WebBox, an Internet connection device that works with any television set in South Africa,” Boorman concludes.
Savious Kwinika
All that talk and no mention of lowering prices…….