Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub has revealed that the mobile operator has plans to offer video-on-demand (VOD) services on its network.

Speaking to media after Vodacom’s recent interim results announcement, Joosub said they want to partner with the likes of ShowMax and Netflix.

ShowMax launched in South Africa on 19 August 2015, while Netflix has confirmed it plans to launch locally before the end of 2016.

In addition to partnering with big brands, Joosub said Vodacom will bring its own VOD offering to the market.

He told TechCentral that Vodacom plans to launch a fully-fledged VOD service during the first half of 2016.

Netflix, ShowMax partnerships

  • While Vodacom hasn’t said anything about offering special data packages for its video streaming partners, Joosub did reveal the network has built a carrier billing platform.
  • Vodacom wants to partner with international VOD providers that launch in South Africa, and this platform will let subscribers pay for services with airtime.
  • Data charges can be included in the purchase price, he said.
  • Fees will either be deduced directly from prepaid subscribers’ airtime or billed to the accounts of contract subscribers.
  • The carrier billing platform will not be limited to only VOD providers. It will also be possible to buy other types of content with airtime.
  • This is not the first time Vodacom has offered carrier billing services. In 2012, it partnered with BlackBerry to let subscribers pay for apps with airtime.
  • Vodacom declined to comment on how the new platform will compare to the old system and how much it will cost merchants.
  • “Our Group CEO made a forward-looking statement on this,” said Vodacom.
  • “We will announce more details when we launch video-on-demand offerings in the new year. We are not able to provide additional information at this time.”