Why your daily data bundle still expires despite new ICASA rollover rules

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi says data bundles valid for seven days or less will remain exempt

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi says data bundles valid for seven days or less will remain exempt from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's (ICASA) rollover rules.

Earlier this year, ICASA amended its End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations to make the rollover of unused data, voice and SMS bundles compulsory from January 2027, but excluded bundles with a validity period of seven days or less.

In a written parliamentary reply to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sixolisa Gcilishe, who asked about the impact of the exemption on low-income consumers who rely on daily data bundles, Malatsi said ICASA believes requiring short-term bundles to be subject to rollover provisions could reduce competition and limit operators' ability to offer innovative and affordable short-term data products.

"ICASA considered the implications of including bundles with a validity period of seven days or less during the development of the amended End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations," Malatsi said.