Telkom's mobile arm 8ta today unveiled what it calls a "game changing" voice offer - unlimited voice calls to any national mobile or fixed-line network at a flat monthly rate.
According to 8ta's managing executive Amith Maharaj, while similar offers have been introduced abroad, this is a first for the country and "will deliver a new dynamic to the emerging mobile lifestyle of South Africans".
As of next week, 8ta Unlimited - a voice all-net promotion - will be available to customers as a new 24-month contract plan. "This offer allows customers to make unlimited voice calls to any mobile network, at any time, including 8ta, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C and fixed-line networks Telkom and Neotel."
The monthly fee for 8ta Unlimited ranges between about R1 200 to R1 500 - for SIM only and handset deals respectively. Maharaj says the offer is only through Telkom channels - including Telkom Business. "So both individuals and businesses will be able to take up the unlimited voice offer."
He says, with mobile voice services fast becoming the communication medium of choice for South Africans on the move, removing the limitations of the medium will enable customers to be connected "like never before".
There is no fair-usage policy in 8ta's terms and conditions for the product, which essentially means customers have unrestricted voice calls for a set fee each month. Maharaj says, however, that a product of this nature is prone to abuse and the operator will monitor traffic on the unlimited calling product for certain deviations and potential fraudulent activity.
"There will be guys who try to abuse it in ways we don't expect so we have to make sure our billing systems can detect any fraudulent activity.
"The SIM may not be used for least-cost routing, international bypass or payphones and it must only be used on the device provided as part of the deal on a 24-month contract or IMEI supplied at the point of purchase in the case of the SIM only offer."
The promotion, says 8ta, will be available as of 1 November at 8ta flagship, Telkom Direct and Telkom Business stores, for a limited period only. "The plan has a SIM only subscription rate of R1 199 and a Samsung Galaxy S3 option at a rate of R1 499."
Maharaj says, while this promotion has been on 8ta's roadmap "from day one" an extensive, good quality network was needed.
The 8ta network currently has in excess of 2 000 sites. "8ta now carries in excess of 70% of voice traffic on our network nationally and 95% of data."
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