Vodacom has radically restructured its postpaid contracts with simpler structures, the option to buy just a SIM or finance a cellphone, and even unlimited calling and texting.
The integrated smartplans are named simply, S, M, L, XL; while an additional three high-end packages are called RED; with RED VIP offering unlimited calls and SMSes to all networks, 1,5GB of data (and two additional SIM cards that draw from this allowance) for R1999 (with a smartphone) or R1599 (without) for 24 months.
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub says the key driver behind the change is to simplify the postpaid contract offering and to make internet use “worry free”.
To prevent bill shock, Joosub says Vodacom is going to double the data allowance for the first few months.
“We need plans to reflect this new habit of using data,” said Joosub. “Let’s give our customers plans that integrate, voice, SMS and data. How do you deal with WhatsApp? You give people more SMS,” Joosub said, before laughing.
Joosub says this is the latest step in Vodacom’s new strategy, which he began implementing after he took over as CEO last September, aimed at bring simplicity to the postpaid market – having done this already with data and prepaid packages.
| S | M | L | XL |
RED |
|||
| Advantage | Premium | VIP | |||||
| Anytime Talk | 75 | 120 | 250 | 400 | 700 | 1200 | Limitless |
| Mobile Internet | 75Mb | 120Mb | 250Mb | 400Mb | 700Mb | 1200Mb | 1500Mb |
| Anytime Text | 150 | 240 | 500 | 800 | Limitless | Limitless | Limitless |
| Smartphone included | R199 | R299 | R499 | R699 | R999 | R1 599 | R1 999 |
Vodacom is introducing several new services to the postpaid contract changes, including Data Sharing where users will get two additional SIM cards with their contract that share the same data bundle, allowing multiple devices to function on the same package.
Vodacom is adding a device buy-back option that will see the service provider taking in an old device and giving a reduction in price for a new contract.
Other new functions like Vodafone Protect and Vodafone Guardian will allow users to locate and remotely lock a missing or stolen phone or help prevent children from accessing adult content respectively.
Vodacom will be setting up internet, email and social networks for customers in-store and will also be rolling out My Vodacom App, which will allow users to monitor and, if needed, top up data for their contracts. A cloud storage function with 5GB of free space is also in the works.