8ta cuts BIS prices in half

Telkom’s mobile arm, 8ta, has introduced a new BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) package that costs half of what it did previously.



Fourth mobile operator 8ta has launched a pared down version of the popular fixed-rate BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) that costs R30/month. The offering only allows users to pair one e-mail account with their device, as opposed to the usual 10, but otherwise offers all of the standard functionality of the BIS service.
Consumers moving to the new package can link their device to a company e-mail address or any online e-mail service such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail or 8ta’s own 8tamail. The existing BIS offering — which costs R59/month — will still be available to those that wish to use multiple mail accounts.
The new rate is permanent and not part of a promotion.
The new package includes standard BIS features such as BlackBerry’s instant-messaging service BBM, Internet browsing, the ability to browse and post to social media services, and access to BlackBerry App World.
The package is available to both prepaid and post-paid 8ta customers. Prepaid customers can either purchase it manually once a month using their airtime balance, or can set up a recurring monthly deduction.

 

Free BIS for 8ta BlackBerry® prepaid users

8ta today announced that new BlackBerry®  prepaid customers will receive free BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) subscription for a month upon activation of the service.

The offer applies to the first 5000 new BlackBerry prepaid customers on activation of their first BIS subscription effective 15 May 2012. The free one month BlackBerry  BIS will be automatically activated to apply during the second month of BIS subscription.

“8ta is dedicated to offering more value to our customers so they can stay connected to friends, family and information while on the move,” says Amith Maharaj, Senior Managing Executive of 8ta.

Furthermore, customers will receive 500MB of free YouTube streaming per month with BIS activation - a first in South Africa.

BIS is an easy-to-use, convenient, low-cost solution that provides users with access to the Internet and personal email accounts (including popular email accounts such as 8tamail, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail), as well as BBM™ (BlackBerry Messenger) and popular social networking sites like Facebook® and Twitter™. It also provides access to a wide range of mobile applications on BlackBerry App World™.

Today’s announcement follows the recent launch of 8ta’s BlackBerry Prepaid Voucher which offers customers an all inclusive BIS offering for six months as an alternative to the monthly R59.00 charge for the service.

“The BlackBerry smartphone is a popular choice in South Africa and 8ta is proud to cater to the needs of this market,” concludes Maharaj.

What does the offer entail?

The first 5000 new BlackBerry prepaid customers shall qualify for the following on activation:

• FREE 1 month BlackBerry BIS worth R59.00
• FREE 500 MB YouTube Streaming worth R120.00

Available at 8ta Flagships and Telkom Direct stores nationally or dial *180*3*1# to activate  the BIS subscription.

For more info visit: http://www.8ta.com/

About 8ta:
8ta is an innovative mobile service provider that provides South African consumers and enterprises the ability to talk more.  Launched in October 2010, 8ta uses state of the art Radio Access Network (RAN), Core and IT technology to deliver products that are of high value, simple to use and of high quality.  Additionally, 8ta has partnered with leading channel and distribution partners to ensure that its products and services will be widely available to all South Africans. To learn more, visit http://www.8ta.com/