Mobile Communications Technology in South Africa
South Africa has 33.3 million (2006) subscribers provided by three GSM cellular networks viz: Vodacom, MTN South Africa and Cell C. The fourth, a virtual network operator (Virgin Mobile South Africa), utilizes Cell C's network. MTN and Vodacom also support the UMTS 3G standard and have upgraded to support HSDPA.
South Africa has the most developed cellular communications industry in Africa, and is among the leading with subscriber base.
"Because of the low density of fixed line phones in South Africa, cell phones are the only means through which the locals can communicate with each other. They are also a status symbol that cuts across the many color and cultural barriers of South Africa. For many of South Africa’s poorest, owning a cell phone means owning a symbol of modernity and luxury in a country which has had more than its share of hardship." - Ron Irwin, BrandChannel.
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