Red Bull Mobile to launch branded reseller in South Africa in Q1

Energy-drinks company Red Bull is set to launch a branded mobile reseller service in South Africa, utilising Cell C’s network. The launch would be the country’s second ‘virtual’ operator behind Virgin Mobile, which also uses Cell C as its infrastructure backbone.

Red Bull Mobile is set to launch in the first quarter and Cell C is understood to be actively courting virtual operators interested in launching in South Africa. Well-placed sources close to Cell C are reported to have said that Red Bull Mobile will offer both voice and wireless broadband services.

Unlike Virgin Mobile, Cell C will not hold an equity stake in Red Bull Mobile. Cell C holds a 50 per cent stake in Virgin Mobile South Africa. However, Cell C is in the process of selling its stake in the Virgin Mobile business to mobile distributor Allied Mobile.

Red Bull has already launched virtual services in Switzerland, Hungary and its home market of Austria and has reportedly signed a deal to launch a similar product in Germany. South Africa will be the first country outside Europe where Red Bull Mobile will be launched.