Cell C and MTN have chopped prepaid call rates again as South Africa’s mobile price war, which began in 2012, takes a fresh turn.

Cell C announced that it is slashing its 66c/minute promotional prepaid tariff to just 50c/minute to all networks. The move comes ahead of new regulations governing mobile call termination rates, which are expected by September. The new rate is available on per-second billing, said CEO Jose Dos Santos.

“This rate cut comes off the back of an overwhelming response we have had from customers to the original offering of 66c,” Dos Santos said in a media statement. The company did not disclose subscriber additions since the 66c plan was introduced earlier this year.

According to Dos Santos, the new promotional offer will be available from 25 July until the end of September. Existing customers on plans other than the 69c plan must migrate to it to benefit from the 50c discounted rate.

“Cell C will consider implementing this rate on a permanent basis once there is clarity regarding mobile termination rate regulations,” Dos Santos said.

Icasa is working on new regulations after its previous regulations were found to be unlawful by the high court following a legal challenge by Vodacom and MTN. Despite this, the court ordered the new rates contained in the flawed regulations be implemented.

SupaCharge discounts and benefits do not apply to Cell C’s new plan. Additional bundles are available for those wanting to add data to the plan.

MTN, meanwhile, on Thursday unveiled a new prepaid tariff plan called Pulse aimed at the youth market. The Pulse plan allows those subscribed to the plan to call each other for 29c/minute, matching the on-network rate offered by Telkom Mobile.

However, on the MTN plan, the first 60 seconds of the first call of the day is billed at 79c/minute, after which the 29c rate applies. Calls to non-Pulse MTN numbers cost 79c/minute, while off-net calls are set at R1,20. — © 2014 NewsCentral Media