Cell C has decided to bring an end to free access to WhatsApp, it said on Thursday.
In its place, the mobile operator is adding a R5 WhatsApp bundle to its portfolio of products, providing a month’s access to the instant messaging service up to a fair usage 1GB of data.
Cell C had offered free access to WhatsApp for nearly a year. The move prompted criticism from some rival operators, who view WhatsApp as an “over the top” competitor to their core services.
The new bundle will be available from 1 September. For the R5 fee, users will be able to send pictures, voice messages, videos and text messages via WhatsApp.
The bundle will be available in a once off format or a monthly recurring format and will be valid for 30 days. Data rates of a customer’s tariff plan will apply if they don’t subscribe for the access fee.
“This is a permanent product and not a promotional offer,” said Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos.
The bundle will be available to all prepaid, top-up and post-paid customers. – © 2015 NewsCentral Media