Cell C is a mobile telecommunications company operating in South Africa. Established in 2001, it is a privately held company with its headquarters located in Sandton, South Africa. As of 2024, Cell C is the fourth largest mobile network operator in South Africa, with 8.5 million subscribers. The company offers a range of services including voice, data, messaging, and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services. It provides various prepaid and postpaid packages, as well as home internet services. Cell C was the first and remains the leading network provider of MVNO services in South Africa. In August 2024, Cell C introduced a new brand identity with the campaign tagline "Nothing should stop you, Switch to See, Cell C". Over the years, Cell C has focused on reducing capital expenditure and operational costs by migrating its customers to virtualised radio access networks using MTN's infrastructure and Vodacom's network through a roaming agreement.
3G Network
Cell C launched its 3G network in South Africa in September 2010 using the UMTS frequency bands B1 (2100 MHz) and B8 (900 MHz GSM). The company aimed to provide enhanced mobile broadband services through its 3G offerings, including the additional of DC-HSPA+ in April 2011 with a broader rollout completed by November 2015. However, as the telecommunications industry evolved and newer technologies emerged, the focus shifted towards 4G and 5G networks. The network shutdown date has been provided as 31/12/2027.
3G Frequency Bands
| Network Frequency Band | Status |
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Active
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Active
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3G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
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Launch of 3G Network
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Launch
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4G Network
Cell C commercially launched its 4G LTE network on September 23, 2015, using the 2.1 GHz frequency band in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The company demonstrated 138 Mbps LTE-Advanced technology in November 2015, and subsequently launched commercial LTE-Advanced services on April 25, 2016, in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. Cell C's 4G network utilised various frequency bands, including B1, B3, and B8 bands, to offer high-speed mobile broadband services. The company expanded its 4G coverage by leveraging approximately 28,000 towers nationwide, including over 12,000 4G/LTE-enabled sites. This expansion was part of Cell C's strategy to improve coverage, reduce dropped calls, and enhance the overall user experience for its customers.
4G Frequency Bands
| Network Frequency Band | Max. Channel Bandwidth | Status | Known EARFCNs |
|---|---|---|---|
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5
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Active
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400
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10
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Active
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1303
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Active
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3734
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4G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
|---|---|---|
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Launch of 4G Network
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Launch
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5G Network
As of 2024, Cell C has not yet commercially launched its 5G network. However, the company has been actively working towards implementing 5G services. In March 2022, Cell C acquired 10 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band during a spectrum auction, which cost R288 million. This high-demand spectrum is intended to support the development of Cell C's virtualised radio network and facilitate the introduction of 5G services. The company has been in discussions with its infrastructure partners, including Vodacom and MTN, to implement 5G connectivity for its customers. Cell C's chief technology officer, Schalk Visser, indicated that the company is close to the implementation of 5G services and has been testing 5G technology in its lab.
5G Frequency Bands
5G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
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