Leading cellular network operator Vodacom announced today that it has passed the three-quarter million milestone in number of active cellular phone users.
"In the last five years, half a million fixed-line telephones were installed in South Africa, with 250 000 planned for the current financial year. (Source: BMI-Techknowledge Communication Handbook 1997). By comparison, in less than three and a half years, the cellular industry has made well over 1,2 million telephone connections," said Alan Knott-Craig, chairman of Vodacom (Pty) Ltd. "Of these cellular connections, Vodacom has been able to maintain its position as favourite network with a market share of some 60%.
"With the launch of pre-paid cellular almost a year ago, airtime moved into the realm of fast-moving consumer goods. Some 20% of Vodacom`s users are active pre-paid users, a percentage we expect to level out at around 33% within a year."
He said the increased rate of growth in the SA cellular industry matched the world trend towards mobile communications. "It would not surprise me to see two million cellular users in South Africa by the end of 1998. It is forecasted that by the year 2000 there will be some 150 million users of GSM mobile technology worldwide, the leading standard in mobile communication (and the one used in South Africa)," Mr Knott-Craig said.
Share
Editorial contacts