South Africans catch a break with reduced data costs

SOUTH Africans are no strangers to the rising cost of living. Grocery prices continue to rise, fuel costs swing unpredictably, and households are stretched thin trying to make ends meet.

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Yet, amid this financial strain, one essential service has provided rare relief: internet access.

The Competition Commission's August 2025 Cost of Living Report highlights something perhaps worth celebrating. The communications sector has made real progress in driving affordability and accessibility of internet services. It’s a reminder that the tides are slowly turning and that even in tough economic times, targeted interventions can help ease pressure on households.

The internet is no longer a luxury, it is an essential service, as important as electricity or water. This recognition reflects the lived reality of millions of South Africans for whom being offline means being left behind. Whether its job seekers completing applications online, learners relying on digital platforms for school work, or families using WhatsApp and video calls to stay connected across provinces, connectivity is part of daily survival.

Not long ago, mobile date costs were a national pain point. In 2017/2018, the cost of a 1GB data bundle stood at R149 with Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C, while Telkom Mobile charged R99. These prices were crippling for many, especially low-income families. A number of factors such as competitive forces, the Icasa consumer rules in 2018, Competition Commission's Data Services Market Inquiry in 2019 and the temporary spectrum issued during Covid-19 changed that trajectory.