The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published the Numbering Plan Fifth Amendment Regulations, 2026, introducing significant changes to subscriber identity verification, mobile number allocation and regulatory compliance in South Africa’s telecommunications sector.
A key development is the requirement for mobile network operators to verify subscribers’ identities biometrically against Department of Home Affairs records when activating or reactivating mobile numbers. The amendments also introduce stricter identity verification.
The amendments take effect on publication, with the new subscriber verification requirements taking effect 12 months after publication. Mobile network operators will have two years from the regulations coming into effect to verify existing subscribers.