Vodacom has started notifying millions of South African contract customers that prices across several of its mobile and broadband plans will increase from 1 February 2026. The network says the upward adjustment is necessary to keep pace with rising operational costs and to maintain heavy investment in expanding its infrastructure.
A Vodacom spokesperson told MyBroadband that inflationary pressure and higher network expenses had made the increases unavoidable, adding that the company continues to invest aggressively in improving coverage, reliability, and user experience. Vodacom South Africa plans to spend roughly R12 billion in the current financial year, with funding directed toward strengthening its 4G and 5G footprint, enhancing network resilience, and improving customer support.
The operator highlighted that rural and underserved communities remain a priority, with ongoing rollouts intended to close the digital divide. It also noted that recent infrastructure upgrades have boosted power-backup capacity, helping subscribers stay connected during electricity outages.
Vodacom said additional investments in data infrastructure have improved browsing and streaming speeds, especially on 5G. It added that customer service channels are also being upgraded to offer faster and more seamless support.
The announcement comes just a day after MTN informed its own customers of similar price increases set for the same date. Vodacom confirmed that all postpaid customers will be affected, including those whose contracts have already expired and are on month-to-month arrangements. The company warned that promotional add-ons and discounts typically fall away once contract terms end, which may increase costs further for some users.
Customers who joined Vodacom between 1 November and 31 December 2025, including those who signed up during Black Friday promotions, will receive a two-month grace period before higher prices apply. Their increases will only come into effect from 1 March 2026. Vodacom said the gesture acknowledges the financial strain many consumers are facing.
The updated pricing affects a wide range of plans, including RED Integrated, RED Flexi, RED VIP, Home Internet (FWA), Mobile Broadband SIM-only deals and several legacy products. Vodacom has published detailed tables reflecting old and new pricing across all affected packages.
The adjustments mark yet another shift in South Africa’s competitive mobile landscape, where rising network costs and ongoing infrastructure expansion continue to shape how operators balance investment with affordability.
