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Cell C profile

Who we are

In spite of penetration of over 140% of mobile services in south africa - particularly in the prepaid market - Cell C's growth continues apace. Cell C currently has more than 16 million subscribers.

The momentum and success of Cell C's innovative and value added products and services over the past few years with its core consumer values of honesty, simplicity and transparency, has resulted in a positive customer response.

Vision, Mission and Strategy

Exceptional Quality is the pillar driving network excellence, born out of significant investment in infrastructure. This is supported by constant improvements to ensure customer experience is exceptional.

Shareholder Information

At launch, Cell C was 100% owned by 3C Telecommunications. Following the successful recapitalisation of the company in August 2017, the shareholding of the company is as follows:

  • Blue Label Telecoms holds 45%;
  • Net1 UEPS Technologies holds 15%;
  • 3C Telecommunications holds 30% (in turn held as 29.4% by the Employee Believe Trust, 45.6% by Oger Telecoms and 25% by broad-based black empowerment grouping CellSAf);
  • Cell C Management and Staff hold 10%.

The ownership of the company by South African shareholders has increased from 25% to over 86% and the participation of historically disadvantaged persons in Cell C increases from around 25% to more than 30% at ownership level. Cell C management and staff now have the opportunity for the first time to participate in the equity of the company.

This promotes the business and consumer confidence needed to lay and support the foundation for investment in South Africa.

Cell C's network

Cell C has invested significantly in expanding and upgrading its network coverage and capacity over the last few years. Its network provides coverage to over 98% of the country's population. In outlying areas, Cell C has a roaming agreement in place with Vodacom to provide 2G and 3G services to its customers.

Cell C offers 2G, 3G, LTE (4G) and LTE-Advanced services and continuously invests in expanding and upgrading its network to offer customers the latest technologies. The network operates on three key bands 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz.

Cell C carries 92% of all voice traffic and 96% of data traffic on its own network.

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

Cell C has extended the availability of its network to new partners looking to provide niche services to their own customers. In the last few years, Cell C welcomed new partners in this space.

Mr Price Mobile launched in late 2014 and me&you mobile launched in 2015. First National Bank (FNB) launched its own mobile service in June 2015 through FNB Connect, and has grown at a substantial pace. The bank, integrates its mobile offering tightly with its online and cellphone banking platforms and with its eBucks rewards programme. In August 2017, Lycamobile, the world's largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), announced that it had partnered with Cell C to start rolling out its services in South Africa.