South African retailer Mr Price has launched a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), TechCentral reported on Wednesday, 30 July 2014.
Like Virgin Mobile, the network will run on Cell C, and according to the report, technology from mobile virtual network enabler business MVN-X (a subsidiary of Ignition) is the main driver behind MrP Mobile.
MVN-X is headed up by the former Virgin Mobile chief, Steve Bailey.
According to MrP Mobile, it currently sells four different devices on contract: three phones and one tablet.
The phone deals each come with R100 airtime per month, while the tablet comes with 300MB data.
MrP Mobile deal
–Nokia Asha 503 for R89 p/m with R100 Airtime
–Nokia Lumia 520 for R129 p/m with R100 Airtime
–Samsung Galaxy Pocket Neo R89 R89 p/m with R100 Airtime
–Huawei Media Pad 7 for R149 p/m with 300MB Data
Voice calls, SMS messages, and data are billed on MrP Mobile packages as follows:
Voice: R1.79 per minute (billed per second)
SMS: R0.60 each
Data: R0.99 per Megabyte
Those interested in getting in on the MrP Mobile deals can do so by phoning the retailer’s call centre, after which their device and SIM will be delivered to them.
Airtime may be purchased at any Mr Price store.
FNB mobile operator launch expected soon
A rumoured mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) from First National Bank (FNB) is set to launch soon, sources in the industry have told MyBroadband.
One source described FNB’s MVNO as an “open secret”, while the general expectation in the industry seems to be that the FNB cellular offering will run on Cell C’s network.
These rumours come after it was announced yesterday, 30 July 2014, that Mr Price launched an MVNO running on Cell C, MrP Mobile, which offers a number of contract packages to its customers.
MrP Mobile uses technology from a South African mobile virtual network enabler company called MVN-X, a subsidiary of Ignition Group, which is headed up by former Virgin Mobile boss Steve Bailey.
Until the launch of MrP Mobile, Virgin Mobile (which uses Cell C’s network) was the only MVNO in South Africa.
MyBroadband previously reported that two independent sources had confirmed FNB and Cell C were in talks about an MVNO agreement.
When asked whether it plans to launch an MVNO, FNB’s head of corporate communications Virginia Magapatona said that discussions were underway with operators, but didn’t specify whether the talks were about an MVNO.
