South Africa’s Department of Communications and the communications regulator ICASA are stepping up efforts to increase competition in the electronic communications market and reduce the cost of mobile data and other communications services.
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi outlined the measures in a recent Parliamentary response to Democratic Alliance MP Tsholofelo Bodlani, saying the interventions are intended to lower barriers to market entry and create greater competition among network operators.
A key measure is the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in April. The proposed legislation includes a “use it or share it” approach to radio frequency spectrum, aimed at preventing spectrum hoarding and enabling greater access to the resource.
The bill also provides for mandatory spectrum sharing, with provisions supporting smaller operators and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). Other measures cover access to essential facilities, wholesale pricing, municipal by-laws for network deployments and stronger competition oversight.
“These measures are intended to promote greater competition in the market and contribute to reducing the cost of electronic communications services,” Malatsi said.
The department’s broader policy interventions include directions covering high-demand spectrum, the rapid deployment of electronic communications infrastructure and next-generation spectrum policy for economic development. It has also issued a draft policy direction on deploying electronic communications networks and facilities.
Meanwhile, ICASA has finalised the Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan and is developing further regulatory measures around spectrum availability and infrastructure sharing. According to Malatsi, these initiatives are intended to support more efficient network deployment and reduce infrastructure costs.
However, the minister acknowledged that affordability remains a concern, particularly for low-income households, rural communities, young people and informal-sector workers.
ICASA has therefore launched a market inquiry into the cost of communication services to identify additional regulatory and market interventions that could improve affordability.
The inquiry will complement the regulator’s End-User and Subscriber Service Charter regulations, which include consumer protections such as automatic rollover of qualifying unused bundles, bundle transfers, restrictions on out-of-bundle usage and a First Expiry, First Out principle.
Malatsi said these measures are intended to address persistent consumer concerns about bundle expiry, out-of-bundle charges, and managing unused voice, SMS, and data bundles.
