How do network providers measure up in terms of customer loyalty? How many of their customers are truly loyal, as opposed to trapped by contracts or the inconvenience of switching? Markinor`s first Mobile Loyalty Survey suggested that when it comes to customers` likely behaviour, MTN and Vodacom are neck and neck, both scoring extremely well. As much as 89 percent of MTN`s customers and 88 percent of Vodacom`s are likely to recommend their provider.

The two companies` subscribers also indicated an uncannily similar likelihood to switch. Thirty-five percent of MTN`s and 36 percent of Vodacom`s customers said they were likely to switch to another provider in the next year. Cell C`s score was much worse, though. Half of its customers said they would consider switching.