Authorities is making use of stress on operators in South Africa to change off their legacy 2G and 3G networks. But a number of the best-selling telephones in 2024 nonetheless solely assist 2G, a TechCentral investigation can reveal.
The principle purpose for that is worth. Whereas 4G/LTE handsets usually begin at round R1 000, the TechCentral investigation has discovered that the most cost effective telephones out there – these aimed on the mass market – received’t work on something aside from 2G infrastructure (or, at finest, 3G).
The Mobicel S2 and Itel 2163 are the most cost effective function telephones in South Africa, retailing for simply R149 by means of Vodacom’s retail shops. These gadgets are gentle on the funds, in addition to on options, with simply 32MB of reminiscence and 64MB of storage every. They’re able to deal with calls, ship and obtain SMSes, and play FM radio. And that’s about it.
The most affordable dual-Sim function telephone is the Mobicel C1, which retails for R169 by means of MTN’s channels. Mobicel is a South African model based in 2007. Different manufacturers outstanding within the function telephone class embody Stylo, Dixon and Nokia, whose common 105 retails for R249 by means of Takealot and different retailers and presents a rugged construct with longer battery life.
Gross sales of 2G function telephones amongst South Africa’s community operators and retailers stay robust regardless of the division of communications & digital applied sciences’ 2G/3G switch-off deadline being a mere three years away.
A 2022 report by communications regulator Icasa confirmed that fewer than half of the 103 million gadgets registered on South Africa’s networks on the time have been 4G-capable smartphones. Extra latest information by market analysis agency GfK exhibits that seven in 10 cellphones bought in South Africa are retailed by means of Pepkor, the proprietor of Pep and Pep Cell shops.
‘Appreciable demand’
“We promote roughly 5 million 2G gadgets yearly, which highlights appreciable demand,” mentioned John Edwards, Pepkor’s head of mobile, in response to a question by TechCentral. “The affordability and sensible advantages of 2G gadgets make them a gorgeous possibility for a lot of South Africans.”
In accordance with Edwards, one of many main causes function telephones stay common is their low value. The most affordable function telephone accessible by means of Pep and Pep Cell shops prices R149, whereas the most cost effective 4G gadget “might be two or thrice costlier”.
4G gadgets require extra complicated chipsets and reminiscence to fulfill the processing calls for of the functions these gadgets assist, including to the price of their parts.
Learn: Telecoms trade warns towards pressured 2G shutdown
However the price of acquisition just isn’t the one issue driving 2G gadget gross sales; function telephones have decrease working prices, too. Customers of function telephones don’t have to fret about information prices for app updates, which Edwards described as “a standard concern for smartphone customers”. Customers are additionally drawn to the relative hardiness of function telephones.
“Characteristic telephones are recognized for his or her sturdiness. They’re much less inclined to wreck if dropped, are simpler and extra inexpensive to restore, and usually have for much longer battery life than smartphones,” mentioned Edwards.
In accordance with a Vodacom South Africa spokesman, regardless of some natural decline within the firm’s function telephone gross sales, 2G and 3G gadget gross sales nonetheless type a notable portion of the operator’s market. He mentioned the present financial state of affairs, coupled with the excessive taxation on 4G/5G smartphones, drives ongoing demand for 2G/3G legacy gadgets throughout a number of networks.
An MTN South Africa spokeswoman mentioned 29% of the gadgets bought by MTN within the 2023/2024 interval have been 2G function telephones. In accordance with MTN, though these gross sales are pushed largely by lower-income clients, the operator has noticed that clients with extra buying energy are additionally shopping for function telephones to make use of as a secondary gadget.
One the motivations for conserving a “low-cost” function telephones is South Africa’s excessive crime charge, with many customers opting to depart their smartphone at dwelling on an evening out to keep away from theft and cut back the specter of a banking app kidnapping.
Learn: Africa has a function telephone downside
From 30 September 2024, Icasa will not sort approve 2G and 3G gadgets for import and sale in South Africa, which means operators will solely be capable of promote no matter inventory they have already got earlier than solely providing 4G gadgets to the general public.
“As we strategy the provisional dates for the phasing out of 2G and 3G gadgets … we assist an end result that ensures cell gadgets are accessible to all South Africans,” mentioned Pepkor’s Edwards. – © 2024 NewsCentral Media
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