Cell C

[1]

Cell C
Private
Industry Telecommunications
Headquarters South Africa
Products GSM-related products and services
3G/Internet service provider
Slogan The Power is in your Hands
Website http://www.cellc.co.za/
Cell C advertising on Harvards at the 2011 Grand Rand Airshow, Rand Airport

Founded in November 2001, Cell C is owned by 3C Telecommunications, which is 60% owned by Oger Telecom South Africa, a division of Saudi Oger; 25% owned in an unencumbered holding by CellSAf, (a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment entity representing over 30 black empowerment companies and trusts), and 15% by Lanun Securities SA (Lanun is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Oger Ltd).

In 2011, Cell C enlisted South African comedian, Trevor Noah, as their spokesperson, in a marketing campaign where he was given the title as their "CEO" (Chief Excellence Officer). The current Chief Executive Officer is Jose Dos Santos. Cell C has recently shaken up the South African market by introducing a flat call-rate of 99c / min, to any network, and the lowest data rate, as well: 0.15c/MB. Their market strategy appears to be "more subscribers, paying less," which is a significant challenge to the high-margin stance of the other network operators.

Technology

Cell C's network has 98% population coverage as of the end of 2012, the balance catered for by Vodacom data coverage. Cell C had completed its technological migration to a new sophisticated core switching network so the network can cope with any unprecedented traffic demand. Roaming agreements exist with over 550 telecommunications operators in more than 187 countries.

Cell C has spent over R5-billion (US$660 million) on its state of the art HSPA+. The network supports speeds up to 21 MB/s and 42MB/s, and is available in most parts of South Africa. The 900 MHz band has been re-farmed to provide greater coverage compared to other operators. Despite all of the recent upgrades, there are still areas of urban Johannesburg that do not have adequate signal.

Products and Services

Woza Wheneva : Cell C gives users 10 free extra airtime minutes for every R10 (accumulated) spent on recharging. The qualifying period of the free minutes runs from Monday 00H00 to Sunday 23H59. The offer is available to all pre-paid customers.

SupaCharge : When customers recharge with airtime, the get free Minutes, SMS's and Data. Recharging with R5 airtime gives you 4 minutes, 4 SMS's and 4 MB of Data. Free minutes and SMS's are only Cell C to Cell C.

C Advance : Cell C allows customers to access emergency airtime when they are in need. This airtime can be used for calling, sending messages or for data. C Advance amounts are : R5, R10, R25, R50 and R100. Customers need to pay back in the form of airtime, with a service fee of R1.

Cell C started a mobile broadband price war in 2010, introducing South Africa's most affordable prepaid data sticks. In advertising the service, Cell C claimed it was offering a 4G network, whereas it used HSPA+. South Africa's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the company should to stop using the term 4Gs in its advertising material. Even though the technology CellC used is described 4G worldwide.[2]

Other services from Cell C include Video messaging, HSPA+, MMS, internet, Voicemail, Blackberry, etc.

Human Resources

Staff complement: 89% are historically disadvantaged individuals and 47% are female. 54,5% of senior managers are HDIs and over 28% are female. Average age of employees is 32-34. Investment in skills development exceeds minimum legislative requirement of 3,65% of labour bill 37% spent on BEE suppliers and SMEs.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.cellc.co.za
  2. ↑ Webb, Mariaan (8 October 2010). "Cell C to appeal ASA ruling on 4Gs adverts". Engineering News (Johannesburg).

External links

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