LTE and online gaming in South Africa on the horizon

[Marley]

I don't think LTE will launch at a more expensive rate than current mobile data prices. While it is a new technology, it is just the natural progression of mobile broadband. It is in fact better for mobile operators, as their signal can propagate further, and penetrate deeper, and serve more users per cell. If anything, it could spur further price cuts down the line once LTE becomes widespread in SA. Look at how HSPA technology has helped drive down mobile broadband pricing over the last few years.

As far as I know the only reason for that happening was because Telkom dropped the price of its IPC charges, thus enabling MTN, Vodacom and Cell C to have an HSPA price war. You could probably make a blanket statement by saying that Telkom dropping the price of its IPC charges caused the entire spectrum of broadband service providers to undergo a price war.

[TBlaar]

I just see LTE costing R200 for a 1GB data cap, at least from Vodacom and MTN.

I don't think LTE will launch at a more expensive rate than current mobile data prices.

Current mobile data rate = R2 per megabyte(OOB), so R2,000 per gig. If it's gonna be in this same range, then sorry but I'll stick to my slow 1Mbps ADSL.

[matt]

Current mobile data rate = R2 per megabyte(OOB), so R2,000 per gig. If it's gonna be in this same range, then sorry but I'll stick to my slow 1Mbps ADSL.

I'm pretty sure it's come down quite a lot from the R2/MB that it was. Or that might just be the out-of-bundle extortion rate.

EDIT: Wait, just spotted you said OOB, anyways, out-of-bundle rates shouldn't be considered the normal rates. I don't think it'll be that high, but still probably start higher than the current in-bundle rates.

[TBlaar]

I am on the Topup315 package, all data is out of bundle

[matt]

I am on the Topup315 package, all data is out of bundle

Sounds expensive. I bought a PS+ membership the other day, and I've been downloading the 10 odd games that gives you since then. Infamous 2 alone is 15GB, although I think that was the biggest. I shudder to think what my bill would be at R2/GB

[James]

As far as I know the only reason for that happening was because Telkom dropped the price of its IPC charges, thus enabling MTN, Vodacom and Cell C to have an HSPA price war. You could probably make a blanket statement by saying that Telkom dropping the price of its IPC charges caused the entire spectrum of broadband service providers to undergo a price war.

That certainly plays a role. Consider also that HSPA roll-out meant better coverage, further signal propagation, and of course, higher speeds - an overall better level of service. With all that came some economy of scale; with more customers signing up, the margins could be tightened, prices reduced, attracting more customers who were suddenly finding themselves able to afford mobile broadband.

LTE couldn't feasibly be launched at prices exceeding current mobile data tariffs; I don't think many average consumers will be interested in paying more, when their current HSPA speeds are actually suitable for most internet tasks.

Current mobile data rate = R2 per megabyte(OOB), so R2,000 per gig. If it's gonna be in this same range, then sorry but I'll stick to my slow 1Mbps ADSL.

OOB is just ludicrous. At least Cell C has made a move to reducing this - 99c per MB is a major improvement. Let's hope the bigger players react accordingly.

[TBlaar]

OOB is just ludicrous. At least Cell C has made a move to reducing this - 99c per MB is a major improvement. Let's hope the bigger players react accordingly.

Yeah, 99c is much better, but still, think of it as R1,000 per Gigabyte. I do about 6 per day, or 100 GB per month. Now, let's convert using LTE as my normal broadband provider, then I am doing R100k per month. Even at 10% of the current mobile pricing, this is still expensive!

So for me, this would be a nice alternative to 3G as my Laptop's on the go internet connection, but definitely not as my day to day home internet access method.