The new contract for the provision of telecoms services to the government of the Republic of South Africa was awarded on Tuesday 30 March by the Treasury. Operators MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, and Telkom are selected to operate the contract. Through this agreement, which comes into effect on April 1, 2021, and ends on March 31, 2026, each operator will have to provide tailored mobile bundles for voice, data, and SMS at attractive prices to all government departments and agencies.

The contract also includes the supply of mobile devices, mainly from local manufacturers, the Treasury says. The provision of accessories such as power storage units, charging cables, Bluetooth devices, earphones, and pouches as well as value-added services such as international roaming and helpdesk services are included.

Let’s note that the awarding of this new contract came a day before the expiration of the previous one, which had been entrusted to Vodacom. Like the previous contract, the new one is also aimed at keeping the state's communications expenses under control. Each telecom operator will make two mobile bundles available to the various public services.

Muriel Edjo