Cell C could be the big winner from new mobile operator Rain’s decision to suspend sales of fixed-LTE products with effect from 1 November 2018.
TechCentral broke the news on Monday that Rain will “temporarily suspend” the sale of fixed-wireless 4G/LTE products through its partner Internet service providers to “better manage capacity” on its network, which has come under heavy load. The company will instead focus on its mobile offerings, which it sells directly to consumers through its website. Existing fixed-LTE customers will not be affected by the decision.
Rain sells fixed LTE to Internet service providers through its partner Internet Solutions. Some ISPs have expressed disappointment in Rain’s decision but said that Cell C offers a compelling alternative.
Murray Steyn, executive head of wholesale at Internet Solutions, said the company will work closely with Rain to ensure existing fixed-LTE clients continue to receive their expected services.
“The fixed broadband market is growing, and we will continue to meet reseller and customer demand with the Cell C fixed-LTE services at competitive rates,” Steyn said. “Currently available packages range between 20GB and 200GB/month and we regularly review these to meet varying customer demands.”
He described Rain’s decision as “not ideal”. However, Internet Solutions has had “numerous engagements with Rain and understands the rationale of their decision”.
“Our primary concern is continuing to provide fixed-LTE services to our resellers and their customers, and we will do so with Cell C.”
MWeb expressed a similar view. The company’s GM for product, sales and marketing, Carolyn Holgate, said the ISP remains “well positioned with Cell C LTE, which has great coverage and is increasingly meeting our customers’ requirements”.
“MWeb’s main concern is for our existing Rain LTE customers,” she said. “However, we have been given assurances their services will remain.”
Vox CEO Jacques du Toit said he supports Rain in its efforts “in getting back into sales mode in the next few months”.
“The reality is that this kind of technology is bound to have a huge uptake from customers and, as such, it has enjoyed extraordinary success.” — (c) 2018 NewsCentral Media