“The review of the Regulations was necessitated by general concerns raised by various stakeholders, including consumer groups and social media campaigns, with regards to data expiry rules, high out-of-bundle rates and rules and also out-of-bundle voice and SMS rules currently applied by licensees”, says Icasa councillor Botlenyana Mokhele.
These concerns range from consumer complaints about the unfairness arising from the premature expiry of data bundles and/or forfeiture of unused data if it is not used within a particular period.
The key interventions in terms of the draft regulation published are the following:
All interested stakeholders have until 3 January 2018 to submit their written comments or representations to Icasa for consideration. Icasa will then hold public hearings on the matter from 7 – 9 February 2018 and it is anticipated that the final Regulations will be promulgated by 31 March 2018.
“We would like to encourage all interested parties to comment on the draft Regulations and to actively part take in the ensuing public participation processes”, concludes Mokhele.