The End User Subscriber Charter Committee has welcomed the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s updated rollover regulations, which will take effect on 23 January 2027. Chairperson Catherine Mushi said the new rules will ensure that unused data, voice, and SMS bundles roll over automatically at no extra cost to consumers.
Mushi also confirmed that mobile networks will have 12 months to update their systems to comply with the new regulations. She added that out-of-bundle charges will now require customer consent, helping to prevent bill shock.
“As bundles expire, consumers may not even be aware of the expiry date. The bundle that expires must roll over at least once,” Mushi said. “Because we regulate in the interest of consumer protection, we also had to strike a balance, which means a bundle cannot exist in perpetuity.”
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also welcomed the regulatory changes. The party said the new rules will protect consumers, especially the poor and unemployed, who have long faced unfair practices where prepaid data and airtime expire despite being paid for.
The EFF argued that data and airtime are not perishable goods and therefore should not expire. They added that the new regulations will help ensure fairness and transparency in the telecommunications sector.
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