So Cell C has now OFFICIALLY upgraded JHB and Pretoria... So how will this benefit you?

Well for starters, you will only feel any kind of benefit if you are a Cell C subscriber (duh) :)

Second to that, your phone needs to be capable of the data speeds that Cell C now offers.
The JHB upgrade actually started about 2 weeks ago - all of a sudden one Saturday, my Nokia N97 started displaying a little blue "3G" icon under the network signal...

Much to my disbelief, I was able to download a 4MB song in 10 seconds, onto my phone... A feat which would have been totally impossible on their previous infrastructure.
So I have been testing the new data connection for about 2 weeks now - first impressions?
Well it certainly pushes my little handset to its limits - because the N97 can only download at 3.6Mbps...
To get a true picture of Cell C's new data network speeds, I would need to get hold of one of their USB modems and try that out.

Trouble is, I don't really need one, since my ADSL serves me just fine :)
So unless Cell C want to donate one to me, it 'aint gonna happen soon!

In a "real world" setting though, it's all going to depend on what type of cellular user you are - if you just make calls and send / receive the occasional SMS, then Cell C's new "4Gs" network isn't really going to do much more for you (and don't be deceived - it 'aint true 4G - it's Cell C trying to be clever - they explain that it stands for "for great speed, for great service"...)

If, however, you call, SMS, email and surf the net on your phone regularly in your average day, then your life is about to get a little easier.
From my short 2 week testing stint, I can honestly say that emailing and surfing the net on my phone is now a total breeze, in comparison to the past.
My only gripe is that I still come across lots of areas in JHB where my phone only gets EDGE (i.e. dog slow)...
Maybe now that the JHB rollout is official, this situation will improve?

All in all though, a huge pat on the back goes out to Cell C for having finally delivered on a long awaited promise!

Are you with Cell C?
If so, have you felt the benefits of their network upgrade?