Afrihost launches mobile deals with data from R2.99 per GB
Afrihost has started rolling out a new set of monthly cellular packages on its mobile virtual network operator, AirMobile, which offers data prices as low as R2.99 per GB bundled with an allocation of airtime.
Even the cheapest AirMobile monthly package offers 1GB of mobile data for effectively R19 — a huge discount on the typical prepaid bundles or even postpaid cellphone plans in South Africa.
AirMobile continues to offer its packages on a month-to-month basis, promising no fixed-term contracts or paperwork.
“All packages are month-to-month. You can change your mind at any time, and if you don’t love us, you can leave whenever you want,” the AirMobile website states.
AirMobile’s monthly packages most closely resemble other cellular providers’ top-up products, coming with an allocation of data and airtime that can be used to pay for phone calls and SMS messages.
When the allocation runs out, subscribers can top up with additional data or airtime. Afrihost also lets customers set rules for automatically topping up their accounts if their allocations run out.
Customers with devices that support eSIM can order and activate their service within minutes, while those that require a physical SIM will receive free delivery on their order.
Afrihost allows subscribers to port in their existing number or get a new cellphone number from AirMobile.
Data and airtime allocated with a package is valid from the first day of a calendar month and will be rolled over until the last day of the following calendar month. For example, airtime and data allocated on 1 March will be valid until 30 April.
Top-up data also lasts up to two months, expiring at the end of the following month after it was allocated. For example, data allocated on 20 April will be valid until midnight on the last day of May.
Airtime top-ups are valid until the end of the year following the one in which it was allocated. For example, airtime allocated on 15 June 2025 will expire at midnight on 31 December 2026.
Afrihost also lets customers transfer unused data and airtime to another AirMobile subscriber.
Additionally, it is running a promotion until the end of the year where calls between AirMobile customers are free of charge.
Afrihost AirMobile’s new monthly packages are summarised in the table below.
| Afrihost AirMobile monthly packages | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | Data | Airtime | Price |
| Air 1 | 1 GB | R10 (±16 min) | R29 |
| Air 2 | 2 GB | R20 (±31 min) | R49 |
| Air 5 | 5 GB | R50 (±78 min) | R99 |
| Air 10 | 10 GB | R100 (±156 min) | R199 |
| Air 20 | 20 GB | R200 (±313 min) | R399 |
| Air 100 | 100 GB | R500 (±781 min) | R799 |
| Calls on AirMobile are R0.64/min, billed per second. SMS messages are R0.26 each. A full schedule of international rates is available on the Afrihost website. | |||
Data top-ups on AirMobile are priced as follows:
| AirMobile data top-up | Price |
|---|---|
| 100 MB | R10 |
| 1 GB | R30 |
| 5 GB | R100 |
| 10 GB | R150 |
Big AirMobile change
This latest update to AirMobile’s monthly packages comes after Afrihost relaunched its cellular service provider as a fully-fledged mobile virtual network operator last year.
Afrihost has offered cellular services on MTN’s network since 2016, however it previously required that customers have an existing MTN number to take up its prepaid products.
Last year, Afrihost unveiled a new mobile app and revamped AirMobile website that allowed customers to sign up directly for an AirMobile prepaid SIM without interacting with MTN.
It also began offering number porting services, and launched eSIM-based sign-ups.
The eSIM process is handled entirely online and takes less than 10 minutes before activation.
In this instance, RICA is handled electronically, with users submitting photos of their ID, a selfie, and proof of address directly within the app or on the web.
This must happen before midnight on the day of the eSIM activation, or the service will be suspended.
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