South Africa’s third-largest mobile operator Cell C on Tuesday reported a 44% year-on-year rise in subscribers, closing 2014 with 19.6-million customers.

The unlisted company, which had 4 524 sites on air by the end of December, recorded a 45% increase in prepaid subscribers and a 29% increase in the number of customers buying data.

“[This] was a real success story for the company,” said Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos, pointing to a surge in the number of data users, and the actual volume of data use on the network increasing by 106%, contributing to data revenue growth of 76%.

Overall, Cell C reported a 16% rise in revenue for the financial year ended December 2014.

“Both operationally and financially, we have seen some excellent growth in key areas,” said Dos Santos.

Cell C aimed to inject R2.2-billion into expansion projects and in support of the company’s imminent long-term evolution strategy, which would be announced “in due course”.

The emerging operator had already completed a network project in Gauteng, which included the harmonisation of the network equipment on 1 215 base stations and the replacement of outdated technology.

During 2015, Cell C planned to roll out similar projects in other metropolitan regions to sustain its “stability, quality and modernisation” drive across the country.

“We are very pleased with the progress on our network, and in the middle of February this year, we turned off roaming in the Tembisa area where we have built excellent coverage. I am pleased to report that the project went off without a hitch and two other phases of this project will happen throughout the year,” Dos Santos said.

Notice had already been given to Cell C’s undisclosed roaming partner to switch off roaming in Soshanguve, Pretoria North and Mamelodi in April and Pretoria West, Midrand and Diepsloot in May.