MTN South Africa is offering over a million low-income prepaid users 4G smartphones for just R99 ($5.42) to get people off outdated 2G and 3G networks.
The move is directly linked to the country’s decision to fully shut down both legacy networks by 31 December 2027.
This isn’t charity. It’s strategy.
With nearly 30 million prepaid users on its books, MTN knows it can’t afford to lose people who can’t afford the upgrade. Instead of waiting for customers to catch up, the company is sending phones straight to them—starting with 5,000 users in Gauteng, chosen based on usage patterns, spending history, and how long they’ve been with the network.
The project will be in phases. First Gauteng. Then a national expansion to 130,000 more users. And finally, over 1.1 million South Africans will receive low-cost 4G smartphones by the end of 2026.
The price is symbolic, R99 for a phone that usually sells for R740. MTN isn’t cutting corners either. The first batch will be Itel devices with a 5.5-inch screen. Later batches will include other models worth between R800 and R1,100.
We’re not guessing here; MTN has done the maths. Each phone handed out will cost the company between R150 and R190 just in operational expenses—delivery, call centre support, marketing, and a range of incentives. They’ll take the hit now to stay connected to customers tomorrow.
“At MTN, we are committed to going the extra mile to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital era. As the country transitions to technologies like 4G and 5G, it is vital that we take proactive steps to connect as many South Africans as possible,” said Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa.
The South African government had originally aimed to retire 2G and 3G much sooner. But due to concerns around access, especially in rural areas, the deadline was pushed to give people more time.
Operators like MTN, Vodacom, and Telkom all back the shift to faster networks, but they’ve stressed the need to do it responsibly.
They’re right to worry. 2G and 3G still serve as the digital backbone for many low-income users—and not just humans. Thousands of businesses depend on these networks to run Internet of Things (IoT) systems, from smart meters to vehicle tracking. Pull the plug too early, and you don’t just cut off people—you disrupt industries.
Critics of the shutdown plan have pointed out the risk of worsening the digital divide. Faster networks mean nothing if people can’t afford the devices to connect.
MTN’s new campaign answers that concern. Instead of asking people to keep up, the network is coming to meet them where they are.
This is a rare example of a telco doing something genuinely inclusive, with a real cost and a clear intent: don’t lose the people who built your business just because the network changed.
