New regulations by Icasa to end wasted mobile data and surprise charges
Icasa has introduced new rules forcing rollovers, prioritising older bundles, and giving users full control of their airtime.
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In a significant move to protect consumers, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has announced new regulations that will change the mobile data landscape.
Effective from January 23, 2027, these rules mandate that mobile operators must automatically rollover unused data, prioritise older bundles, and provide users with complete control over their airtime.
This comes after widespread outrage over the rising costs of mobile data and complaints from users losing bundles before they could be fully used. The new rules aim to protect consumers and make mobile services fairer.
The End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Amendment Regulations, published in the Government Gazette, set out exactly how mobile operators must manage data, voice, and SMS bundles.
Among the key changes are that operators will be required to use older bundles first, allow automatic rollovers for most bundles, and stop out-of-bundle charges unless users explicitly opt in. The rules come into effect on January 23, 2027, giving operators a year to adapt.
"A Licensee must, at the end of the validity period of a bundle, rollover any unused bundle or portions thereof at least once, and subject the bundle rolled over to the same terms and conditions applicable to the original bundle, except for bundles that are 7 days or less, and excluding uncapped, free, and promotional bundles," Icasa said.
The regulator also stated that operators must send notifications when bundle usage reaches 50%, 80%, and 100%, ensuring users stay informed and can manage their consumption.
"A Licensee must send usage depletion notifications to end-users via SMS, push notification or any other applicable means, when usage reaches 50%, 80% and 100% depletion of each bundle."
Icasa also wants the rollover to happen automatically for all eligible bundles, ensuring that users do not lose any unused data, voice, or SMS. The regulator emphasised that this process must be free and require no customer action.
"The rollover of bundles must occur without requiring action and without incurring any cost to the end-user, provided that the number remains active."
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