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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khusela Sangoni-Diko, welcomes the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) promulgation of the amended regulations pertaining to the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter, describing the development as a decisive step forward in the quest to reduce the cost of living for South Africans.
 
The regulations, which will come into effect on 23 January 2027, mark an important milestone in strengthening consumer protection in the electronic communications sector, particularly for prepaid mobile users who have long been disadvantaged by the expiry of paid-for data, voice and SMS bundles.
 
Ms Diko noted that these amendments represent a major overhaul of the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter and directly respond to longstanding public concerns over the loss of unused prepaid data. She recalled that in June last year, the committee engaged with mobile network operators – Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Rain – and called for decisive action on the persistent challenge of data expiry.
 
While acknowledging that ICASA has provided operators with a transition period, Ms Diko said the committee would have appreciated a shorter implementation timeframe, given that the regulations enhance existing consumer protections rather than introduce entirely new obligations. She nevertheless commended ICASA for advancing a regulatory framework that promotes fairness, affordability and transparency, and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to robust oversight to ensure full compliance.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the chairperson of the Portfolio committee and on communications and digital technologies, Khusela Sangoni Diko