Vodacom to Hike Call and Data Rates from June: Here’s What Changes and Why

South Africans using Vodacom’s prepaid mobile services should brace for higher costs starting 1 June 2025, as the network operator introduces its annual round of price adjustments for out-of-bundle (OOB) voice and data rates.

The update was quietly communicated to customers via SMS, citing the rising costs of maintaining reliable network coverage and service quality. “To continue delivering the quality coverage and service you expect, we’ll be implementing our annual update on selected products and services,” the message read, according to MyBroadband.

What’s Changing?

From 1 June, Vodacom’s voice and data OOB rates will rise by approximately 2 cents. That may seem small at first glance, but for high-volume users and those not on bundled deals, the cumulative impact could be noticeable.

Here’s a breakdown of the most affected plans:

• Power Bonus, NXT LVL, Zetnet, Dash Mobile, and Khosi Bonus:

  • Voice: from R1.65 to R1.67 per minute

  • Data: from R0.49 to R0.51 per MB

• Power Pack and Prepaid LTE:

  • Voice remains unchanged in most cases

  • Data: from R0.29 to R0.31 per MB

• Prepaid 79c Plan (budget-friendly option):

  • Voice: from R0.79 to R0.81 per minute

  • Data: from R0.49 to R0.51 per MB

While the increases may appear marginal, they come at a time when South Africans are already grappling with rising living costs, and just weeks after MultiChoice announced price hikes for DStv and Showmax.

Why the Increase?

Vodacom says the price changes are necessary to support ongoing investment in infrastructure, service quality, and network expansion. With the competitive pressure of maintaining high-speed connectivity and wide coverage, telecom companies often cite operational costs as the key reason for annual hikes.

Customers are encouraged to visit Vodacom’s website for the full breakdown of changes or explore alternative plans that may offer more value through bundled services.

This year’s adjustment may be modest, but it reflects a broader trend among telecom providers shifting costs to consumers in an increasingly data-driven world. If you’re a Vodacom user, now might be a good time to reassess your mobile habits, bundle usage, and whether you’re getting the best deal for your rand.

{Source: IOL}

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