Perhaps they feel compelled to do this in anticipation of the KPMG-audited comparative quality tests. Sellschop adds that MTN has no plans to offer a free voice mail service to its subscribers. Most of the rapid growth in South African subscribers is a result of prepaid systems introduced last year. Instead of enduring credit checks and long waits for clearance, getting a subscription, at about R150 a month, is now as easy as buying any commodity. The prepaid system has opened the cellular networks up to many who could not afford a cellular subscription.
Many people now rely on voice mail as a way of keeping in touch.
Vodacom's free voice mail covers prepaid and subscription services. Knott-Craig says prepaid customers account for almost two thirds of Vodacom's new business. For many of these cellphone users, their voice mail is often their only reliable address. Vodacom's move also comes at a time when government is about to announce that it will license a third cellphone operator.