South Africa's Independent Communications Authority (Icasa) has reached an agreement with MTN, Cell C and Vodacom on data regulations.
The networks have agreed to drop their court challenge and would introduce the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations in February next year.
Icasa says there is now certainty on the effective date of the regulations to provide much needed relief to consumers by prescribing minimum standards of service.
Service providers are now compelled to:
In terms of the new Icasa regulations announced in February, service providers are prohibited from charging subscribers out-of-bundle rates without consent. Networks are also required to roll over unused data. South African users lose the paid for data when it expires.
Cell C and MTN requested an extension of the date of implementation of the regulations, which was 8 June 2018.
Cell C had requested a six-month extension.
Icasa refused to grant extensions, prompting the networks to turn to the courts.
The communication authority said at the time they decided to oppose the matter on the basis that it is required, in terms of its legislative mandate, to act and regulate in the public's interest.
- African News Agency (ANA)
