In an increasingly digital world, these compact handsets are proving to be game changers, driving rapid growth in mobile gaming, sports betting<\/strong> and igaming<\/strong> nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through targeted subsidised pricing promotions, Vodacom and MTN are offering the 4G smartphones, with reliable speeds of up to 40 Mbps<\/strong>, for as little as R67 ($3.60)<\/strong> and R99 ($5.35)<\/strong> respectively to selected prepaid customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent industry reports indicate that smartphone access<\/strong> in South Africa is widespread, with adult ownership projected to exceed 90 per cent<\/strong> in 2025, supporting growing use for gaming, mobile betting and other digital entertainment. Market data reports indicate South Africa\u2019s gaming market is booming, with revenues expected to surpass $1.8bn<\/strong> by the end of 2025, driven largely by mobile gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grand View Research projects South Africa\u2019s online gambling market to reach $2.66bn by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.8 per cent<\/strong>, driven in part by expanding access to low-cost 4G devices now costing less than R100 ($5.40).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vodacom\u2019s subsidised promotion enables selected prepaid users still on 2G to upgrade to the 4G-enabled Smart Kicka 6<\/strong> for just R67 ($3.60). The offer includes a 20 GB data bundle worth R149 ($8), suitable for betting apps, esports streaming<\/strong> and lightweight casino games. Vodacom said this is a major step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Millions of South Africans still rely on 2G devices. By making affordable 4G smartphones available, Vodacom is helping more people fully take part in the digital economy<\/strong>,\u201d said Vodacom\u2019s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Rishaad Tayob<\/strong>, according to a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MTN\u2019s R99 ($5.35) initiative is rolling out Itel smartphones<\/strong> in three phases, aiming to reach over 1.1 million customers by the end of 2026. MTN said the first phase has kicked off with the distribution of 5,000 Itel AC51 devices to selected users based on usage and spending patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt MTN we are committed to going the extra mile to ensure no one is left behind in the digital era. As the country transitions to 4G and 5G it is vital to proactively connect as many South Africans as possible,\u201d said MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The urgency is real as cut-off dates approach. South Africa will switch off its 2G and 3G<\/strong> networks by December 2027. Without affordable 4G devices<\/strong>, millions risk losing reliable mobile connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vodacom and MTN\u2019s efforts to provide budget-friendly smartphones come at a crucial moment and can make a significant difference. With many South Africans trying to cut costs, these economical smartphones deliver reliable apps, mobile wallet support and 4G speeds of up to 40 Mbps. This boosts usage and revenue for mobile betting<\/strong>, igaming and related platforms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Budget smartphones unlock digital access for many ahead of 2G and 3G shutdown in the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2809,"featured_media":4320,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"is_press_release":false,"is_interview":false,"is_opinion":false,"focusai_summary":"Vodacom and MTN are deploying ultra-budget 4G smartphones in South Africa, priced under R100, to facilitate digital inclusion and the transition from 2G\/3G networks ahead of their 2027 shutdown. This initiative is significantly boosting mobile gaming, sports betting, and iGaming market growth by expanding affordable connectivity and smartphone access to a broader demographic.","focusai_entities":"Vodacom, MTN, Grand View Research, Rishaad Tayob, Charles Molapisi, Itel","focusai_location":"South Africa","focusai_target_profile":"ceo_executive (0.9), regulator (0.85), compliance_legal (0.75), operator_casino (0.95), affiliate_publisher (0.8), product_ux (0.7), tech_data (0.7), marketing_crm (0.85), payments_fraud_aml (0.8), investor_analyst (0.95), supplier_vendor (0.85), journalist_researcher (0.9)","focusai_suggestions":[{"label":"GGR\/NGR Impact?","query":"What are the projected GGR and NGR impacts for iGaming operators in South Africa due to this expanded 4G penetration and digital access?"},{"label":"Regulatory Compliance Influence?","query":"How will the increased mobile-first user base influence regulatory compliance and responsible gambling frameworks in South Africa, particularly concerning new player onboarding?"}],"footnotes":""},"categories":[60011,60027],"tags":[60038,60036,60071,60271],"class_list":["post-5746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-africa","category-uncategorized","tag-betting","tag-igaming","tag-mobile","tag-south-africa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2809"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5746"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5762,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5746\/revisions\/5762"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Cheap 4G phones power digital shift<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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