Data bundles valid for seven days or less will not be subject to ICASA's new mandatory rollover regulations when they come into effect in January 2027, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has confirmed.
Earlier this year, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) amended its End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations to require unused data, voice and SMS bundles to roll over automatically. However, the regulations exclude bundles with a validity period of seven days or less.
Malatsi confirmed the exemption in a written parliamentary reply to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sixolisa Gcilishe, who questioned the impact on low-income consumers who depend on daily and short-term data bundles.
According to Malatsi, ICASA considered whether short-term bundles should be included when drafting the amended regulations.
He said the regulator found that these bundles are among the most frequently purchased by consumers and are often offered as promotional products at discounted prices.
