By Rorisang Modiba
- Icasa published new regulations on Friday requiring mobile networks to automatically roll over unused bundles at least once on expiry.
- The new rules come into effect on 23 January 2027 and will allow users to transfer bundles to other people.
Mobile networks will have to roll over unused data, voice and SMS bundles automatically from January 2027.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) published the new rules in the Government Gazette on Friday.
Under the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Amendment Regulations, 2025, networks must roll over unused bundles at least once when they expire. This will be free and automatic.
Bundles will be used in order of expiry. The bundle that expires first will be used first.
The rollover rule will not apply to bundles that are seven days or less. It will also not apply to uncapped, free or promotional bundles.
If a customer cannot use their bundle because of a fault caused by the network, the validity period must be extended.
Mobile networks will have to send usage notifications when a bundle reaches 50%, 80% and 100% usage.
Customers will be able to opt in or out of usage notifications. They will also be able to buy more bundles easily via USSD or other platforms and opt in or out of out-of-bundle charges.
Icasa wants bundles to become transferable. Users may be able to transfer bundles or parts of bundles to other users on the same network. There will be no limits on how often or how much can be transferred. Uncapped, free and promotional bundles will be excluded.
Icasa started reviewing these rules in February 2024 after finding that existing data expiry rules were unfair to consumers.
Currently most mobile bundles expire and cannot be transferred. The new rules aim to give consumers better value for their money.
Pictured above: A man using a cellphone.
Image source: Pexels
