Rain is a South African wireless network operator that provides 4G and 5G internet services with no long-term contracts. Launched in 2018 as a data-only network, Rain has since expanded into home broadband, business connectivity, mobile voice, and portable WiFi through its rainOne product family.
Rain operates Africa’s first commercial 5G network and owns over 3,000 towers, with additional coverage through infrastructure sharing agreements with MTN and Vodacom. All Rain plans are month-to-month with no binding contracts.
Rain WiFi packages and prices
Rain currently offers four product categories: rainOne Home for households, rainOne Work for businesses, The Loop for portable connectivity, and rain mobile for standalone voice and data. All prices below are current as of February 2026.
rainOne Home (5G home WiFi)
rainOne Home bundles unlimited 5G WiFi with two free 4G mobile SIMs. Each SIM receives 2 GB of data, 60 minutes of calls, and 100 SMS per month at no extra cost. All plans include a free-to-use 5G smart router.
| Plan | Speed | Price | Router |
|---|---|---|---|
| the101 | Up to 30 Mbps | R649/month | WiFi 6, 1.8″ touchscreen |
| the101 pro | Up to 60 Mbps | R849/month | WiFi 7, 2.1″ touchscreen, NFC |
| the101 pro (Unlimited) | Uncapped | R1,049/month | WiFi 7, 2.1″ touchscreen, NFC |
The 101 router measures 230 x 230 x 56 mm and supports 101 customisable skins. The 101 pro is more compact at 210 x 210 x 48 mm and supports WiFi 7 with 4-carrier aggregation for faster speeds.
For larger homes, Rain offers 101 Xtenders mesh WiFi units at R135 per month on the 30 and 60 Mbps plans or R100 per month on the unlimited plan. Each Xtender features its own 1.8-inch touchscreen and connects via NFC.
rainOne Work (5G business WiFi)
rainOne Work uses the same 5G routers and speed tiers as the home plans but includes five free 4G mobile SIMs instead of two. Each SIM receives 2 GB, 60 minutes, and 100 SMS per month.
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| the101 | Up to 30 Mbps | R825/month |
| the101 pro | Up to 60 Mbps | R1,025/month |
| the101 pro (Unlimited) | Uncapped | R1,225/month |
Work plans cost R176 more per month than their home equivalents, reflecting the three additional SIMs. The same 101 Xtenders add-on is available for extended office coverage.
The Loop (portable 5G WiFi)
Launched in July 2025, The Loop is a portable 5G router with a 6-inch touchscreen, stereo speakers, camera, and Android operating system. It introduces a zone-based pricing model called Loopzones.
| Plan | Data | Loopzones | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pergig | 25 GB | None | R475/month |
| Unli Loopzone | 10 GB + unlimited at 1 zone | 1 Unli Loopzone | R675/month |
An Unli Loopzone gives you unlimited data at a location you choose, such as your home or office. You can change the location multiple times in the first seven days and once per calendar month after that. Open Loopzones are Rain-designated public areas where all Loop users get free access. Outside any zone, data is charged per gigabyte.
rain mobile (standalone 4G)
Rain mobile is a standalone 4G SIM plan with HD voice calls on Rain’s national network. It costs R165 per month and includes:
- 2 GB data
- 60 minutes of HD voice calls
- 100 SMS
This is the same SIM package included free with rainOne bundles, but available as a standalone product for those who only need mobile connectivity. Phones that do not support VoLTE can use the rainTalk app for voice calls.
Rain 5G coverage
Rain launched the first commercial 5G network in Africa in September 2019, using licensed spectrum in the 3600 MHz band. The 5G network covers major metropolitan areas across South Africa, including:
- Gauteng: Johannesburg, Pretoria/Tshwane, Randburg, Rivonia, Sandton, Soshanguve, Orange Farm
- Western Cape: Cape Town, Paarl, Strand
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban
- Free State: Bloemfontein
- North West: Klerksdorp, Rustenburg
- Limpopo: Polokwane
5G coverage is concentrated in urban and suburban areas. You can check whether your specific address is covered on Rain’s website before signing up. Rain will not activate the service unless a minimum download speed can be achieved at your location.
Rain 4G/LTE coverage
Rain’s 4G network has broader national coverage than its 5G network, reaching most major cities and many smaller towns across South Africa. Rain operates on the B3 (1800 MHz) and B38 (2600 MHz) frequency bands.
Any unlocked smartphone, tablet, MiFi device, or LTE router that supports these bands will work on the Rain network. Coverage is strongest in metropolitan areas but can be patchy on national highways and in rural regions.
Is Rain fibre?
Rain is not a fibre provider. Rain delivers internet over the air using 4G and 5G wireless signals, not through physical fibre-optic cables. This means no technician needs to visit your home for installation and you can be connected within days of ordering.
The trade-off is that wireless speeds vary depending on your distance from the nearest tower, network congestion, and physical obstructions. Fibre connections from providers like Cool Ideas typically offer more consistent speeds and lower latency, but require fibre infrastructure at your address.
Rain positions itself as an alternative for areas where fibre is not yet available or for users who prefer the flexibility of a no-contract wireless connection.
Rain review
Rain occupies a unique position in South Africa’s broadband market. It is the most affordable 5G home internet option in the country and the only operator that bundles 5G WiFi with mobile voice SIMs in a single package.
Strengths:
- No contracts: all plans are month-to-month
- Affordable entry point: 5G home WiFi from R649 per month
- Quick activation: no installation appointment needed
- Bundled value: rainOne includes free mobile SIMs with voice, data, and SMS
- Innovative hardware: the 101 routers feature touchscreens and customisable skins
Weaknesses:
- No phone-based customer support: all enquiries handled via online portal and WhatsApp
- Speed consistency: wireless performance varies by location, time of day, and network load
- Limited rural coverage: 5G concentrated in metropolitan areas only
- Load shedding: Rain towers rely on battery backup during power outages, which affects uptime during extended cuts
- Speed-capped entry plans: the 30 Mbps tier may feel limiting for households with multiple devices
Rain is best suited to urban South Africans who want affordable, no-contract home internet and do not have fibre available at their address. The unlimited plan at R1,049 per month competes directly with mid-range fibre packages, though fibre remains more reliable where available.
Rain contact number and support
Rain does not operate a traditional call centre. All customer support is handled through digital channels:
- WhatsApp: Message Rain directly through their website’s WhatsApp link
- Online portal: Log in at rain.co.za to manage your account, check usage, and submit queries
- Request a call: Available through the Rain website for sales enquiries
Existing customers can manage most account functions, including plan changes and cancellations, through the online portal without needing to contact support.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rain still offer unlimited data for R250 or R300?
Rain’s original unlimited 4G data plans at R250 and R300 per month are no longer available. The product lineup has been restructured around rainOne bundles that combine 5G WiFi with mobile SIMs. The most affordable option with unlimited data is now the rainOne Home plan at R649 per month, which includes the 5G router and two mobile SIMs.
Can you make phone calls on Rain?
Yes. Rain launched its mobile voice service with HD calls over its 4G network. The rain mobile plan (R165/month) includes 60 minutes of calls, and rainOne bundles include free mobile SIMs with the same voice capability. Phones without VoLTE support can use the rainTalk app.
How fast is Rain 5G?
Rain’s 5G speeds depend on your plan tier and location. The entry-level plan caps at 30 Mbps, the mid-tier at 60 Mbps, and the unlimited plan offers uncapped speeds. Real-world performance varies, but users in well-covered areas have reported speeds exceeding 200 Mbps on the unlimited plan.
Is Rain better than fibre?
Fibre generally offers more consistent speeds and lower latency than Rain’s 5G. However, Rain does not require fibre infrastructure at your address, has no contracts, and can be set up immediately. Rain is a strong alternative where fibre is unavailable, but most users with fibre access will get a more reliable experience from a fibre ISP.
Leave a Reply