MTN has announced that it would cut its data costs - with sub-1GB bundles valid for 30 days getting slashed by up to 26%.
The mobile-telecommunications provider said on Tuesday the reduction would be effective in the coming weeks. The 30-day data bundle pricing reduction follows an earlier reduction of hourly and daily data bundle pricing by up to 20% in March this year.
MTN South Afrca CEO Godfrey Motsa said the company had over the past few years been consistent in its efforts to lower the price of data - an action that would be further made possible by the allocation of high-demand spectrum.
"This further data price reduction - as well as our efforts to support small businesses - are some of the most impactful ways we believe we can reignite the economy. Our efforts in this regard will be further enabled by the allocation of much-needed spectrum," said Motsa.
MTN was one of the companies that lodged a legal challenge against some of the terms set by communications regulator Icasa on the allocation of spectrum.
Some of the pricing changes that have take place include a 14% reduction in the 1GB data bundle and a cut of up to 60% for bundles larger than 1GB.
The company also announced that it would extend a total of R10 million to small businesses in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng affected by last month's looting to help them rebuild their enterprises. The company has completed a review of the spaza shops with which it already has relationships.
MTN SA chairperson Mike Harper said the company's assistance would extend beyond MTN products to include the restocking of general merchandise sold in the shops. Spaza shops requiring assistance may apply to the company for support using the email address SpazaRelief@mtn.com.