Big changes coming for mobile data usage in SA
Mobile data is a necessity for many in South Africa, where wifi and other connection options are not accessible to all.
For those who depend on mobile data to stay connected, it can be an expensive essential.
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Regardless of your income, South Africans all agree that the prices for a worthwhile amount of mobile data are excessive.
And even if you are on a phone contract that includes mobile data, the more data you want, the crazier the monthly payment gets.
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According to MyBroadband, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is pressing ahead with plans that could lead to a significant shift in the mobile data landscape.
Regulators are moving closer to allowing unused data bundles to roll over instead of expiring.
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The proposed changes aim to strengthen consumer protection, but they have also sparked warnings about potential unintended consequences, particularly for lower-income users who rely on small, short-term data bundles.
Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, has confirmed that Icasa is in the process of finalising these regulations for publication.
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The intention is to align mobile data rules with the Consumer Protection Act, including provisions related to the rollover and transfer of data bundles.
Tau made these comments while responding to a Parliamentary question, where he explained that the new regulations are expected to directly address how data expiry is handled in the market.
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This marks another attempt by regulators and lawmakers to deal with an issue that has frustrated mobile users for years.
But why is it only being addressed now?
The push for data rollover is rooted in long-standing concerns that consumers lose value when unused data expires.
Lawmakers and regulators argue that this is especially problematic in a country where mobile data serves as a primary gateway to information, work opportunities, and essential services.
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Members of Parliament have repeatedly raised concerns that people often use their last available money to buy data, only for part of it to expire unused. This has strengthened calls for regulatory intervention to ensure fairer treatment of consumers and better alignment with existing consumer protection laws.
What are the risks consumer groups face if data rollover rules change?
While the idea of rolling over unused data may sound straightforward, consumer advocacy groups have urged caution.
Koketso Moeti, executive director at Amandla.Mobi, has warned that the way these changes are implemented could have serious consequences if not carefully designed.
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She has pointed out that lower-income consumers are the most affected by data expiry because they typically buy very small bundles, often valid for an hour or a single day.
These users are far more vulnerable to data loss due to circumstances beyond their control, such as power outages.
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Moeti highlighted that load reduction remains a reality in many townships.
In such cases, a person may purchase data with their remaining money, only to be unable to use it before it expires because there is no electricity to charge a device or maintain connectivity.
By the time power is restored, the data may already be gone.
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This makes data expiry particularly punishing for low-income households, adding urgency to calls for reform.
However, Moeti has cautioned that removing expiry altogether could create new problems.
Can data rollover forever?
Some consumers believe that data should never expire and should continue rolling over indefinitely, but Moeti has argued that this approach could backfire.
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If networks are forced to allow unlimited rollover, they may have little incentive to continue offering small, affordable and innovative data bundles.
Instead, she has suggested a more measured approach.
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Under this proposal, unused data would roll over for the same validity period as the original bundle. For example, if a bundle was valid for two days, any rolled-over data would also be valid for two days, rather than forever.
Mobile operators have consistently argued that data validity periods are essential for managing limited network resources.
In September 2025, Cell C explained that validity rules for data, voice minutes and SMS allocations help ensure that network capacity is distributed fairly across customers.
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The operator said that customers are effectively paying for access to scarce resources.
Validity periods allow networks to balance demand and prevent congestion, particularly for data, which is both resource-intensive and in high demand.
Cell C also noted that usage patterns differ widely between customer segments.
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Shorter validity periods at lower prices enable networks to offer more affordable data options, giving consumers the flexibility to purchase data only when needed and can afford it.
Mzwandile Masina, chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry, and Competition, has reiterated the demand that data bundles should be valid for at least three years.
The committee has considered submissions from the National Consumer Commission, Icasa and the Competition Commission.
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Masina has argued that data bundles and prepaid vouchers should fall under Section 63 of the Consumer Protection Act, which sets a default three-year validity period unless a longer one is agreed.
The committee has stressed that affordable data is essential in the modern economy, describing it as a key gateway to information and participation.
Despite repeated efforts, South African regulators and legislators have struggled to resolve the issue of long-term data validity.
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One major obstacle is the way mobile networks design and price their products to manage demand and capacity.
Removing operators’ ability to control network usage through pricing and bundle design is likely to face legal resistance.
Another complicating factor is that unused data, often referred to as breakage, is already built into pricing models.
Eliminating breakage could lead to noticeable price increases in the short term.
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Many networks already offer longer-validity bundles for customers who want them, but these options, such as six-month or annual bundles, are significantly more expensive than weekly or monthly data.
As Icasa moves closer to finalising new regulations, the challenge will be balancing consumer protection with affordability and access.
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Poorly implemented rules could unintentionally drive up prices or reduce the availability of small bundles that many people rely on.
The outcome of this process is likely to shape how South Africans buy and use mobile data for years to come, particularly for those at the lower end of the income scale who are most sensitive to both price and expiry rules.
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Image: MyBroadband