Prepaid airtime for a mobile phone is available in a wide variety of places and can be purchased from all of the service providers. If you are new to South Africa or are simply visiting on a holiday then there are probably some things you need to learn about the different brands that are available here and where you can buy credit vouchers from. Sometimes they are available at a discount which is why it is worth doing your homework to find out where you can get airtime for cheap prices. A little bit of money can get you a long way.
Sometimes you get prepaid airtime for a mobile phone when you purchase your cellphone. This airtime is normally stored on the sim card that comes with the phone and in some cases your phone may be locked to particular service provider. In South Africa there are four major providers that you can look out for. The first is a blue brand, which is called Vodacom. Secondly there is a yellow brand that is called MTN. Finally there are two red brands – Virgin and Cell C. If you are purchasing a phone on arrival in the country it is best to ask whether your cellphone is locked to a particular brand or not, to avoid wasting money.
You can purchase an airtime credit voucher from most local supermarkets and newsagents. Often you receive a discount depending on the amount you are spending. You can also purchase credit online through your Internet banking, or directly from an ATM. These services are really helpful because you avoid the hassle of drawing money and standing in a long queue at the supermarket or newsagent. You will need to know whether you are MTN, Cell C or one of the other brands before you purchase your prepaid airtime for a mobile phone.