How to pay less for mobile data

Data prices change often, and networks run their own specials, so we don’t list bundle prices. Instead, here is how to compare bundles yourself, where to find the price reports of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and the rules that protect you.

Where to see price comparisons

ICASA publishes a tariff analysis report twice a year, comparing what the networks charge for data. The reports are on ICASA’s website. They also cover the smaller networks that use the big networks’ infrastructure (MVNOs), which can be worth comparing.

How to compare bundles

• Work out the price per GB: divide the price by the number of GB. Bigger bundles often cost less per GB, but only if you will use the data before it expires.
• Check how long the bundle lasts. A cheap bundle that expires before you use it costs more in the end.
• Check what the bundle covers. Some data only works at night or on certain apps.
• Check coverage where you live and work. A cheaper network is no use without signal.

Your rights under ICASA’s rules

ICASA’s End-user and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations of 2018, as amended in 2019, say your network must:

• send you a notification when you have used 50%, 80% and 100% of a data bundle (you may opt out of these messages),
• let you buy more data at any time, for example by USSD,
• let you choose whether to use out-of-bundle data. If you haven’t chosen, the network may either stop your data or keep it going on the same terms as your bundle, not at out-of-bundle rates,
• give you an option to roll over unused data before it expires, and use the rolled-over data first, and
• let you transfer data to other people on the same network.

The amended rules

ICASA published amended regulations on 23 January 2026. They take effect 12 months after publication, in January 2027, and where they differ from the rules above, the amended rules apply. From then, your network must:

• send the usage notifications for each bundle,
• roll over unused data at least once, automatically and at no cost, as long as your number stays active (bundles of 7 days or less, uncapped, free and promotional bundles are left out),
• let you transfer data without a limit on how often or how much,
• use up the bundle that expires first, and
• extend a bundle’s validity if a fault on the network stopped you from using it.

Stay safe

• Buy data only through your network’s own app, USSD code, website or store.
• Never share a one-time PIN or your SIM details with anyone who contacts you. Read our guide to avoiding scams.