SA mobile prices among the highest in Africa

13 Apr 2012

A new research study has found that SA has some of the least affordable prepaid mobile tariffs on the continent and is falling behind many of its neighbours because of high wholesale call rates between operators.

The findings are contained in a Research ICT Africa policy brief, with research conducted over the past year. Among the 46 African countries surveyed, SA ranks a dismal 30th in terms of mobile pricing overall and 32nd when it comes to prepaid calls.

According to the report, the cost of mobile services in countries such as Kenya, Mauritius, Egypt and even neighbouring Namibia - which was once on a par with SA - are a "fraction of even the lowest priced services in SA". Prepaid tariffs in SA are more than three-and-a-half times more expensive than in Namibia.

Read the full story on www.TechCentral.co.za

About Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson is an ICT journalist and speaker based in Johannesburg. He is deputy editor at TechCentral, the South African source for technology news, reviews and opinion, and regularly provides insight into the technology industry for radio and television. Email him at craig@techcentral.co.za, follow @craigwilson on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn.

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