Summary: Android, iPhone and iPad users in South Africa may soon get flat-rated data packages, similar to BlackBerry’s data solution

MTN and Vodacom are looking at launching flat-rated data solutions for Android and iOS (iPhone and iPad) smartphones and tablet PC’s.

BlackBerry’s success in South Africa is partly thanks to the affordable flat-rated Internet service accompanying BlackBerry devices.

Affordable flat-rated data packages aimed at iPhone, iPad and Android devices is likely to boost the uptake of these devices in South Africa, and it is therefore not surprising that Vodacom and MTN are investigating such offerings.

MTN SA CEO Karel Pienaar told MyBroadband that MTN is looking at flat-rated data offerings for devices other than BlackBerry smartphones, but explained that the service conditions should be clearly defined to ensure that consumers know what they are buying.

Pienaar said that they are working hard to bring solutions to the market which serve their subscribers’ needs, and that flat-rated Internet products aimed at specific segments of the smartphone and tablet PC market is definitely something users want.

It is understood that Vodacom has also been working on a range device agnostic flat-rated data products, but the company could not provide official feedback by the time of publication.