Virgin Mobile South Africa to launch in mid 2006

As expected, South African mobile operator Cell C has signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement with the UK’s Virgin Group to create a Virgin Mobile-branded MVNO in the African country. Under the terms of the deal the new company will operate as an independent service provider operating over Cell C’s GSM network. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Virgin Mobile South Africa is expected to launch in mid-2006.