JOHANNESBURG – South Africans set to have some data relief after Icasa implements new data regulations on the 28 February. February 19, 2019
New data regulations by Icasa close to being implemented by mobile operators. Photo: Supplied
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is close to implementing the amended End User and Subscriber Services Charter (EUSSC) regulations which are effective from the 28 February.
South Africans will have some data relief after the new EUSCC regulations come into effect, this means customers who do not comply with the new data regulations by the 1 March might find themselves not being able to access any data.
Here are the five things you need to know:
- End User and Subscriber Services Charter (EUSSC): relates to the new data regulations which include data transfer, data rollover, out of bundle usage and depletion notifications.
- Out of bundle (Obb) usage: In the new regulations, cellphone users must decide to opt-in Obb data usage and their network provider must provide users options to do this. This option includes contract, prepaid and dual customers.
- Depletion notifications: The new changes require that all mobile network operators send their customers notifications when their data, airtime and message services are at 50 per cent, 80 per cent and 100 per cent.
- Data transfer: Users can now transfer data to other users of the same network.
- Data rollover: Networks will now be required to allow customers to roll over unused data before the expiry date.
The new regulations are slight amendments made by Icasa after some network providers had concerns over licensees that may have unintended consequences on customers.