SAMDDRA welcomes ICASA's Draft Numbering Plan Fifth Amendment Regulations, 2026, published for public comment. The proposed reforms aim to strengthen subscriber identity verification, combat SIM-related fraud and improve accountability in the management of mobile numbers.
The draft includes biometric identity verification for mobile-number activation and SIM swaps, as well as a proposed limit on the number of mobile numbers that a network operator may assign to one subscriber. These measures remain proposals: ICASA will consider public input before final regulations are determined.
SAMDDRA supports the objectives of the amendments and encourages distributors, repairers, retailers, mobile network operators and other affected stakeholders to engage in the consultation. Practical implementation, data protection, consumer access, business costs and appropriate transition periods should be carefully considered so the final framework is fair, secure and workable.