The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has welcomed the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) promulgation of amended regulations to the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter, describing the move as a significant intervention to strengthen consumer protection and contribute meaningfully to efforts to reduce the cost of living for South Africans.
The portfolio committee Chairperson, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, said the amended regulations represent a decisive step forward, particularly for prepaid mobile subscribers, who have historically borne the brunt of expiring data, voice and SMS bundles.
The regulations, which will take effect on 23 January 2027, introduce enhanced safeguards for consumers in the electronic communications sector. They are aimed at addressing longstanding public concerns regarding the loss of paid-for services due to expiry, an issue that has disproportionately affected low-income and prepaid users.
Ms Diko noted that the amendments constitute a substantial overhaul of the existing regulatory framework and respond to repeated calls by Parliament and the public for greater fairness and transparency in the sector. She recalled that in June last year, the committee engaged extensively with mobile network operators, including Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Rain, urging decisive action to address the persistent challenge of data expiry.
While acknowledging ICASA’s decision to allow a transition period for operators to comply, Ms Diko indicated that the committee would have preferred a shorter implementation timeframe, given that the regulations primarily strengthen existing consumer protections rather than impose entirely new obligations.
Nevertheless, she commended ICASA for advancing a regulatory framework that promotes affordability, equity and accountability within the communications sector. She further reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to exercising robust parliamentary oversight to ensure full and effective implementation of the regulations once they come into force.
Parliament has consistently underscored the importance of affordable and accessible communication services as a key enabler of social and economic participation, particularly in the digital age. The amended regulations are expected to play a critical role in ensuring that consumers derive full value from services they have paid for.
Justice Molafo
27 January 2026
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