
Cell C is rebuilding for sustainable growth. The company has been investing heavily in its network infrastructure to improve its 4G and 5G coverage.
Cell C has also been working on reducing its environmental impact. This includes reducing energy consumption and waste.
The company has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This goal is ambitious but achievable with the right strategies in place.
Cell C is committed to using renewable energy sources to power its operations. This will help reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and lower its carbon footprint.
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Network and Digital Strategy
Cell C has taken a significant step in its network strategy by transitioning away from owning and operating its own radio-access network (RAN) in 2020. This decision has allowed the company to reduce its capital expenditure from billions to under R 1billion per year.
The network migration, which finished in June 2023, several months earlier than planned, has given Cell C access to around 28,000 towers, including over 12,000 LTE-enabled sites. This asset-light model has boosted the company's cash flow and agility.
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Cell C now provides coverage wherever MTN and Vodacom signal is available, according to independent assessments. This is a significant improvement for the company, which had been technically insolvent in 2022 and suffered a R337 million loss in the six months prior to November 2023.
Here are the services Cell C delivers:
- 2G, 3G, LTE mobile services
- Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fixed wireless access
- MVNO hosting
- Value-added services like digital platforms and device financing
Network Strategy
Cell C's network strategy has undergone a significant transformation since 2020, with the company transitioning away from owning and operating its own radio-access network (RAN).
This asset-light model has allowed Cell C to reduce its capital expenditure from billions of rands to under R 1 billion per year, boosting cash flow and agility.
The company's network migration was completed in June 2023, several months ahead of schedule, and provides coverage wherever MTN and Vodacom signal is available.
Cell C has established roaming partnerships with MTN and Vodacom, giving it access to over 28,000 towers, including more than 12,000 LTE-enabled sites.
This strategic move has helped Cell C significantly reduce its losses, with a R337 million loss in the six months prior to November 2023.
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Digital Focus
Cell C's digital focus is a key part of their network and digital strategy.
Cell C offers a range of digital services, including 2G, 3G, and LTE mobile services.
Their fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fixed wireless access services provide fast and reliable internet connections.
Cell C also hosts mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and offers value-added services like digital platforms and device financing.
Here are some of the digital services Cell C provides:
- 2G, 3G, LTE mobile services
- Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fixed wireless access
- MVNO hosting
- Value-added services like digital platforms and device financing
Business and Marketing
Cell C has been working on a major rebranding effort. In August 2024, they unveiled a new logo, audio mnemonic, and slogan: “Nothing should stop you — Switch to See, Cell C”. This refreshed brand identity is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate their culture and market presence.
CEO Jorge Mendes, who joined in mid-2023, played a key role in this rebranding effort. He emphasized the importance of this change in revitalizing the company's image.
Rebranding and Marketing
Rebranding and marketing efforts can be a game-changer for any business. On 15 August 2024, Cell C unveiled a refreshed brand identity, including a new logo, audio mnemonic, and slogan: “Nothing should stop you — Switch to See, Cell C”.
A new logo and slogan can make a big impact, but it's not just about aesthetics. Cell C's CEO Jorge Mendes joined the company in mid-2023 and emphasized that the rebrand was part of a broader turnaround strategy to rejuvenate culture and market presence.
A well-planned rebrand can help a company regain its footing and appeal to a new audience. Cell C's rebranding effort is a great example of how a business can refresh its image and stay relevant in the market.
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Sponsorships
Cell C is a big supporter of sporting and entertainment initiatives. They have a strong presence in various events and activities.
One of the ways they show their support is through sponsorships. They've partnered with SA Rugby legends to help promote the sport.
Cell C also sponsors Wheel of Fortune, a popular game show. This partnership helps them reach a wider audience and build brand awareness.
Another notable sponsorship is the Comrades Marathon. This is a major endurance event that attracts top athletes from around the world.
Here are some of the key sponsorships Cell C is involved in:
- SA Rugby legends
- Wheel of Fortune
- Comrades Marathon
Growth and Development
Cell C has been experiencing a successful turnaround, thanks to its asset-light approach. This strategy involves piggybacking on Vodacom and MTN networks, which has driven a successful turnaround.
In February 2025, analysts noted an improved customer experience, with signal now available wherever MTN and Vodacom have coverage. This is a significant improvement, making it easier for customers to stay connected.
Prepaid Broadband revenue has seen an 18% year-on-year increase, reflecting the sharp increase in mobile data traffic. Mobile data traffic has grown by 31% from the prior year, as South Africans increasingly rely on digital services and streaming.
Here are some key statistics on Cell C's growth:
- Prepaid Broadband revenue increased by 18% year-on-year.
- Mobile data traffic grew by 31% from the prior year.
- Wholesale revenue rose 13% year-on-year.
- Wholesale business now accounts for 13% of service revenue.
The wholesale division, anchored by MVNO partnerships, has delivered another year of double-digit growth. This growth is expected to continue, providing predictable and recurring income that complements the consumer business.
Prepaid Broadband Growth
Prepaid Broadband Growth has been a standout story, with revenue increasing by 18% year-on-year.

This growth is largely due to the sharp increase in mobile data traffic, which rose by 31% from the prior year.
South Africans are increasingly relying on digital services and streaming, driving this surge in mobile data traffic.
The strategy of bundling and monetizing broadband services has delivered not only higher traffic but also deeper customer engagement.
The groundwork for broadband adoption was laid in FY24, and FY25 confirmed it as a robust pillar of Cell C's growth strategy.
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Recent Developments
In recent times, Cell C has been making significant strides in its growth and development. Blue Label Telecoms, Cell C's major shareholder, acknowledged on the 24th of July 2025 that the asset-light approach is driving a successful turnaround.
This approach involves piggybacking on Vodacom and MTN networks, which has led to improved customer experiences. Analysts noted an improved customer experience in February 2025, specifically mentioning that "signal is now available wherever MTN and Vodacom have coverage".
The success of this approach is evident in the improved customer satisfaction. With Cell C's signal now available in areas covered by MTN and Vodacom, customers are experiencing better connectivity and service quality.
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Customer and Revenue
Cell C's customer base has remained stable at around 7.6 million, a deliberate focus on quality over quantity to attract and retain higher-yield customers.
The company's prepaid customer base saw a slight decrease in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) to R78, but this was offset by a 20% increase in data traffic.
In postpaid, ARPU eased to R224, but Cell C still managed a 23% rise in data traffic, a strong indication of customer engagement.
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Transformation and Innovation
Cell C's transformation is a remarkable story of innovation and improvement. The company's network quality has significantly improved, with Cell C being awarded the best overall Video Experience in South Africa in the Opensignal Awards: South Africa.
This achievement is a testament to the success of the Multi-Operator Carrier Network (MOCN) strategy, which delivers competitive service quality. Cell C's first VoLTE call on Africa's cloud-native via Amazon Web Services (AWS) was a groundbreaking innovation, making it the first of its kind in Africa and only the second globally.
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The company's focus on customer experience is evident in the redesign of its app and the refurbishment of 50 stores, with more revamps in the pipeline. This revitalization has helped restore market energy, with Cell C remaining resilient and in the Kantar BrandZ Top 30 South African brands.
Cell C's technology strategy prioritizes agility and partnerships over heavy infrastructure investment. By leveraging networks from providers like MTN and Vodacom, Cell C maintains competitive quality with a "fundamentally different" CapEx model.
Here are some key highlights of Cell C's transformation:
- Best overall Video Experience in South Africa in the Opensignal Awards: South Africa
- First VoLTE call on Africa's cloud-native via Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Redesign of the app and refurbishment of 50 stores
- Remained resilient and in the Kantar BrandZ Top 30 South African brands
With a customer-centric approach, Cell C excels at "bread and butter" voice and data offerings while exploring new revenue streams through partnerships, especially in financial services.
Market Position and Profitability
Cell C has made significant strides in its market position and profitability. The company has achieved profitability for the financial year ending May 31, 2025, with a net profit after tax of R2.2 billion.
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Its strategy of attracting and retaining higher-yield customers has led to a stable customer base of around 7.6 million. This has resulted in a 6% increase in service revenue to R11.97 billion.
The company's focus on wholesale revenue has paid off, with a 13% surge driven by its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partnerships. Prepaid broadband revenue was also a standout performer, growing by 18% year-on-year.
Here are some key highlights of Cell C's financial performance:
- Net revenue grew by 4% to R11.14 billion.
- Service revenue increased by 6% to R11.97 billion.
- Wholesale revenue surged by 13%.
- Prepaid broadband revenue grew by 18% year-on-year.
Cell C's disciplined cost management and focus on top-line growth have set it apart in the highly competitive South African market.
Returns to Profitability
Cell C has made a significant turnaround in its financial performance, achieving profitability for the financial year ending May 31, 2025. This marks a major milestone for the company, which had previously struggled with technical insolvency.
Net revenue grew by 4% to R11.14 billion, with service revenue increasing by 6% to R11.97 billion. Wholesale revenue surged by 13%, driven by its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partnerships.

The company's strategy has focused on attracting and retaining higher-yield customers, resulting in a stable customer base of around 7.6 million. This has led to a significant increase in mobile data traffic across its network, reflecting the growing demand for digital services in South Africa.
Cell C's average revenue per user (ARPU) slightly decreased, but the company saw a 31% increase in mobile data traffic. This demonstrates the growing demand for digital services in the country.
Here's a summary of the key financial highlights:
- Net revenue: R11.14 billion (up 4%)
- Service revenue: R11.97 billion (up 6%)
- Wholesale revenue: R1.44 billion (up 13%)
- Prepaid broadband revenue: R1.34 billion (up 18%)
- Profit before tax: R264 million (up over 200%)
Cell C's financial turnaround is a testament to its ability to adapt and innovate in a highly competitive market.
Mvnos and Market Positioning: Integration Over Wholesale
Cell C's Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) strategy is a game-changer in the industry. By moving beyond traditional wholesale models, Cell C has created deep, integrated partnerships that are tailored to partners' industry needs.
This approach is a far cry from the past MVNO failures that lacked integration. As Roman Khalenkov notes, "when you align that with personalization, you’re onto something very special."
Cell C's commitment to bridging Africa's digital divide is evident in its investments in connectivity for underserved communities, digital literacy programs, and support for emerging technologies like Starlink.
The company's focus on affordability efforts has led to lowering communication costs and increasing access to modern devices. This is a crucial step in making technology more accessible to everyone.
Cell C's partnerships with government and industry aim to phase out older technologies in favor of 4G/5G, with potential subsidies and tax reforms. This is a bold move that could have a significant impact on the industry.
By taking a more integrated approach, Cell C has been able to create a strong foundation for its MVNO strategy. This is reflected in the company's steady growth in the wholesale division, which delivered double-digit growth in FY25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cell C owned by?
Cell C is owned by Blue Label, a South African company, through its subsidiary The Prepaid Company, which acquired a 45% stake in 2017.
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