SA regulator proposes no data expiry for six months

Unused data and data services as well as unused voice and SMS services obtained through either prepaid or post-paid channels shall not expire for period of six months, except for promotional packages.

Telecoms operators must first apply data usage against the oldest of any unused data, until that data is depleted, and thereafter against the newly allocated data. Similarly for voice and SMS services.

The transfer of data must not be limited to specific products and/or payment types, with the exception of uncapped or free promotional bundled products. This applies to any SIM card or device on the same network, including SIM cards or devices owned by the same end user, and exists without limit on the number of times that the end user may transfer such data.

Operators need to compensate end users appropriately in instances where the user is unable to utilize specific promotional voice, SMS products and promotional data packages or bundles due to a fault on the part of the Licensee (such as network outages or service breakdowns).

Operators, from time to time, need to issue consumer alerts on specific issues deemed relevant and necessary for the protection of end users. Examples would be information on fraudulent SIM swaps, fraudulent number porting, billing, public health warnings and public safety notifications.

Operators must educate end users on cybersecurity and on the protection of personal information.

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