South Africa`s cell phone giants have an unexpected competitor in the race to get Africa`s first 3G operation to market.

South Africa`s telecommunications industry has been eagerly awaiting the rollout of the country`s first third generation (3G) network, with rivals Vodacom and MTN both keen to begin offering the service.

Vodacom, in particular, has been pushing hard to get its service up and running before the end of the year, with a launch date of 1 December unofficially mooted, in order to become the first African operator with 3G. However, another African mobile operator has entered the race.