TELECOMS
New use it or lose it phone data ruling a potential headache for mobile operators
New regulations that end cellphone users losing unused data may benefit consumers, but could end up being a headache for mobile operators. The final End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations were announced by the Independent Communications Authority of SA on Thursday. Data network operators must now allow customers the option to roll over unused data. Licensees will also have to send usage depletion notifications to consumers when usage is at 50%, 80% and 100%. They must also allow consumers to transfer data to others. The new regulations will no longer allow service providers to charge out-of-bundle rates for data when it is depleted without the consumers’ "specific prior consent". Ofentse Dazela, director of pricing research at Africa Analysis, said the charter brought good news to consumers, but the effect would differ depending on consumption. Low-capacity data bundles Consumers who bought low-capacity data bundles would barely benefit from the rolled-over option. Daze...
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