Mobile data
A new fully digital mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has launched locally. Called Melon Mobile, it will piggyback on the MTN network.
Melon Mobile’s unique selling point is that it offers customisable and flexible plans for the prepaid market, all done digitally through its app.
A SIM can be ordered from the Melon website, whereafter you download the Melon Mobile app on the Play Store or App Store, build a plan to suit your individual needs, add payment, and RICA directly on the app before activating your SIM.
Every step of the process is clearly outlined in the app, down to when you should insert the SIM card.
Melon Mobile will also offer eSIM support in May and will allow existing customers to switch to an eSIM via a SIM swap at no extra charge. Melon’s eSIM offering will be the second prepaid option for customers in South Africa, following Telkom Mobile’s offering in 2021.
Testing out Melon Mobile
I’ve tested Melon Mobile’s offering using the free 30-day trial period that gives you 1GB of data, 100 voice minutes and 100 texts to see how the process works.
The SIM was provided for testing, but I accidentally inserted it into my handset before downloading the app, which affected activation times.
The self-RICA process was simple: you scan your ID book or card within the app; take a selfie; and add your address. Within minutes you should be RICA’d. Notifications appear on the app.
When I eventually had to insert the SIM, it didn’t take the six minutes as promised because of my error. Nevertheless, I received assistance and had it running within 15 minutes.
I manually added the APN, restarted the phone, and picked up 5G speeds. What’s more, data does not expire on Melon if you’re paid up with a valid subscription in place.
Connectivity and coverage are going to be as reliable and fast as MTN.
Melon vs. other prepaid data bundles
Melon Mobile’s data will cost you R60 for 1GB, R115 for 2GB, R160 for 3GB and R340 for 10GB. You can also purchase larger bundles all the way up to 100GB at R950.
MTN, Vodacom and Cell C all have similar prices on their 30-day validity for prepaid data: 1GB for R85, 2GB for R149, and 10GB for R469.
Telkom Mobile offers a 61-day validity on prepaid data so it cannot be accurately compared as the data includes an additional Whatsapp and Streaming allocation, which is R139 for 1.5GB, R189 for 3GB and R389 for 11.5GB.
Why Melon Mobile?
If you’re a prepaid customer, you may want to consider Melon Mobile purely for its flexibility of increasing or decreasing spend, though it feels more like a Top Up package than prepaid because it’s tied to a ‘monthly’ plan.
For example, if you bought a large bundle like 100GB it will remain active while you have a plan in place each month. So the following month you could just switch to the lowest 500MB bundle at R45 to keep using the initial allocation.
Otherwise, you can do it purely for the eSIM prepaid support while remaining on the “MTN” network if you want to free up a SIM slot on your device. Melon has its own support teams and contact centre that is independent of MTN’s call centre and procedures.
Cache This
Technology is an ever increasing part of our lives and let’s be honest, many of us like gadgets. There is also an abundance of new online services and apps taking over the traditional services we use. Nafisa Akabor has been covering everything tech for well over a decade and she’ll be writing on how we can do tech within a budget and reviewing some of the new online services. Cache This is published on the last Tuesday of every month.