South Africa, Sept. 22 -- Mobile network operators are legally obligated to make the content of PBOs data-free as part of their licensing conditions.

This rule applies to all mobile network operators that successfully bid for new spectrum during a multi-billion-rand auction held by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) in 2022.

Slow to implement

In May last year, Icasa published regulations outlining the process that PBOs had to follow to be zero-rated.

To streamline the application process, DGMT set up a platform called the Social Innovation Register to assist PBOs with their applications to Icasa and to help them meet the technical requirements for zero-rating.

"Even though 30 were vetted on the register ...