LTE Data is still incredibly expensive in South Africa. It’s one of the reasons I’m not all that upset that the “uncapped” LTE contract I’m on has been soft capped to 300GB a month at full speed, largely because buying that sort of data would work out to a lot more than the R599 a month I pay.
Until earlier today, 100GB (plus 100GB of Night Surfer data) of LTE data from Telkom on its Smartbroadband LTE service would have cost you R1049, which is a frightful amount of money. That cash now gets you 200GB, as Telkom has doubled the data on its pre and post-paid LTE options, without increasing the price.
“Telkom has worked hard to provide high quality products targeted at our consumers at reduced prices. This has ensured that we drastically reduce the cost to communicate and broaden access to ICT services for many South Africans,” said Attila Vitai, CEO of Telkom Retail in a press release.
Here’s what Smartbroadband data will cost now:
| Bundles Size | Data Allocation | Price |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 10GB | 10GB anytime and 10GB Night Surfer | R249 |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 20GB | 20GB anytime and 20GB Night Surfer | R349 |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 40GB | 40GB anytime and 40GB Night Surfer | R449 |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 60GB | 60GB anytime and 60GB Night Surfer | R549 |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 100GB | 100GB anytime and 100GB Night Surfer | R749 |
| SmartBroadband Wireless 200GB | 200GB anytime and 200GB Night Surfer | R1049 |
It’s still terribly expensive, but for those relying on the service, double the data for no extra cash sounds like a good deal.
“All South Africans want more affordable, high speed connections, and effective and efficient communication means. Our doubling of data on our Smartbroadband LTE pre-paid and post-paid packages with no impact on the pricing is a further testament of Telkom’s commitment to reduce the cost to communicate and provide all South Africans with greater internet access,” said Vitai.
The changes take immediate effect, but existing customers may need to contact Telkom.”Existing Telkom LTE contract subscribers will be able to migrate to these Double Data deals in order to benefit from the double data allocations at current prices.” Prepaid customers who purchase bundles from here on out will be given the better pricing.
This, unfortunately, doesn’t mean that those on the uncapped service will get a 600GB threshold.
Last Updated: September 21, 2017
Gavin Mannion
September 21, 2017 at 10:44
So glad I don’t need to rely on Telkom or LTE moving forward..
Vumatel are currently installing at my house 🙂
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 11:03
FINALLY! Sheesh!
Magoo
September 21, 2017 at 11:30
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/54b700a56e25f8a80cf1f1c9137e941a766791bd890180579eb71e99c56fb095.gif
D4RKL1NG
September 21, 2017 at 10:53
Wait, I’m currently paying R999 for the 100+100 on contract. Is this only for new customers?
What’s happening? Will I get 200+200 now or will my monthly payment go down to R749?
Geoffrey Tim
September 21, 2017 at 11:06
”Existing Telkom LTE contract subscribers will be able to migrate to these Double Data deals in order to benefit from the double data allocations at current prices.”
D4RKL1NG
September 21, 2017 at 11:25
Awesome
Geoffrey Tim
September 21, 2017 at 11:49
So you’ll probably have to contact telkom to migrate, or do it through the customer service portal.
Mabenito
September 21, 2017 at 16:49
I did call Telkom, they informed me that all LTE contract customers like myself do qualify for double data promotion, only after 3 months or more. The promo end 31 January 2018 and I’ll be able to migrate to 40/40GB (R299pm) end of November 2017. For free.
I can wait. Exams time anyway.
Mabenito
September 21, 2017 at 16:14
So, I’m on 20/20GB July2017 Promo, them i’m gonna get 40/40GB right? If it’s true, the I’m getting Destiny 2. Right Wobbly???? Am I right???
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 11:04
Do we know when this comes into affect?
Geoffrey Tim
September 21, 2017 at 11:06
Immediately, according to the Press release.
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 11:07
probably on the next data reset for me… better bloody be or heads are gonna roll roll roll…
Geoffrey Tim
September 21, 2017 at 11:09
If you’re on a contract, you may need to contact Telkom to migrate. ”Existing Telkom LTE contract subscribers will be able to migrate to these Double Data deals in order to benefit from the double data allocations at current prices.”
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 11:13
Hahaha… damnit… getting hold of Telskum Mobile is a pain in the ass. And no Telkom Mobile, I’m not upgrading my contract for another 24 months!
Edit: R50 more for the extra 100GB isn’t bad tho.
RinceThis
September 21, 2017 at 11:23
Smart. That way if you don’t actively change you get nout…
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 11:49
Also means that subscribers on the older contracts pricing will be paying the new pricing.
Ottokie
September 21, 2017 at 11:31
That is pretty scummy of them to be honest.
Kromas Ryder
September 21, 2017 at 12:56
Just bought 100gb … the deal has updated and i got 200gb.
Don’t really care about night time as i buy the R50 for 500gb thing anyways.
Magoo
September 21, 2017 at 11:23
I don’t get it… Why would you pay R1k for 200gb when you can get (soft-capped) 300gb for R599?
Geoffrey Tim
September 21, 2017 at 11:48
that deal is a) subject to a 2 year contract and b) not available anymore.
Original Heretic
September 21, 2017 at 12:04
Yeesh, these prices are nasty. People in first world countries really take their internet prices for granite.
Magoo
September 22, 2017 at 07:46
And Otto thought we couldn’t make good R&M jokes. xD
Original Heretic
September 22, 2017 at 08:39
It was one of the best episodes ever.
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 12:18
PSA: I just got off the phone with Telkom Mobile Customer Care (081180) and you can’t migrate a current contract/subscription over the phone, you have to go into a store. They also don’t know what documentation you need.
Tried to call the Northgate stores to confirm what documentation you’d need, and there’s no answer, as per usual.
This is exactly the reason why I’m not doing an upgrade on my account, and might just stay on my 50GB+50GB setup as is on a month to month basis.
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 14:57
Update: I’ve posted on FB and Twitter and haven’t received a response in 2 hours. Telkom Live chat has been waiting for an available agent for about an hour and a half. I’ve also tried to call 6 Telkom shops to find out what documents you need… but there hasn’t been an answer in 2 hours.
I’d seriously change ISP’s if I could get the same amount of LTE data at a lower cost, but you honestly can’t.
VampyreSquirrel
September 21, 2017 at 15:21
Update: Just got off a live chat with a Telkom Rep on their site, and got confirmation that you only need your ID to do the migration of a current contract to double data. But this has to be done at a Telkom Store.