UPDATE (14/08/2024): C-Connect has confirmed that Cell-C is the network’s official host operator to help clear up any confusion. “Cell C, in turn, has roaming agreements in place with MTN. This means our subscribers have access to high-quality mobile networks wherever they may be at any given time.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
In a bid to reclaim market share from network leaders like Vodacom and Telkom, C-Connect has launched nationwide as South Africa’s latest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to hopefully provide “cost-effective mobile services that don’t compromise on quality,” before it’s forgotten to time.
“With the South African consumer’s finances under immense pressure, we anticipate strong demand for our MVNO offering. We’re excited to connect consumers with rewards and businesses with new ways to make their customers happy,” says Richard Anderson, C-Connect’s COO.
*insert Cha-Ching noise here*
C-Connect hopes to garner some attention from South Africa’s younger crowd – like Melon Mobile, another MVNO making waves in South Africa thanks to its recent 14-day free trial promotion. While Melon uses MTN’s network infrastructure C-Connect has instead latched onto the Cell-C network.
While it doesn’t yet have the moola necessary to go quite as big as Melon, C-Connect’s big gimmick is ‘Cha-Chings’, a form of in-app currency that customers can use to “buy things that enrich their life.” Those include gaming vouchers, prepaid electricity and water vouchers, data, or “tickets for events.”
You’ll unlock Cha-Chings by simply topping up your mobile data or airtime (through the C-Connect mobile app, dialling *105#, or buying through the company’s website). Each purchase will unlock 10% back in Cha-Chings.
C-Connect styles itself as a “SIM-only” brand, meaning you won’t find any e-SIMs here. Customers hoping to join the new network will need to head over to the network’s app (Android, iOS) or website, and sign up before having their physical SIM delivered to their door, or sent to the nearest pick-up location.
Read More: Melon Mobile invites customers to a two-week free trial, 5GB data included
It’s worth noting that C-Connect is a 3/4G and LTE-only network, and does not include 5G connectivity.
“What sets us apart in a competitive market is that we offer people meaningful rewards for buying voice and data, an essential everyone needs. It’s the most rewarding connection for South African cellular subscribers with no fuss and no frills, just a straightforward and simple way to access a world of prepaid services with added benefits. With C-Connect, we’re not just offering connectivity; we’re giving our customers the power to see real rewards from their mobile usage.”
While the official announcement mentions that it “leverages C-Cell’s [Cell-C] robust network infrastructure,” we noticed that its website reckons it “roams on MTN which is one of our country’s best networks, so you’ll always be connected wherever you go.” We’ve reached out to C-Connect to clarify which network it’s piggybacking.