Pretoria – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa wishes to inform the public of its decision to impose a raft of sanctions on Session Telecoms Proprietary Limited (Session). 

This follows a complaint lodged by Mobile Telephone Networks Proprietary Limited (MTN) against Session. The matter was duly investigated and adjudicated by the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) in terms of section 17B of the ICASA Act.

The complaint, submitted by MTN on 26 April 2023, alleged that Session was misusing numbering resources allocated by the Authority. The allegations included activities commonly associated with interconnect bypass operations, such as Calling Line Identification (CLI) manipulation, call refiling and SIM-boxing. Following an extensive investigation and hearings conducted between September 2023 and October 2025, the CCC presented its findings and recommendations to the Authority. On 18 June 2026, ICASA approved the CCC’s recommendations, concluding that Session had contravened the Numbering Plan Regulations.

The investigation found that Session had breached Regulation 6(3)(f) of the Numbering Plan Regulations by using invalid numbers and numbers that had not been allocated to it.

The CCC further found that Session had breached Regulation 6(3)(g) by failing to ensure that numbers allocated to it were used efficiently and effectively. The findings also indicated that communications were not being routed through MTN’s network efficiently, contrary to the principles governing the management and use of numbering resources in South Africa.

“ICASA regards compliance with the Numbering Plan Regulations as essential to maintaining the integrity, efficiency and security of the national numbering system. Numbering resources are a scarce national asset and must be used responsibly by licensed operators to ensure the reliable delivery of electronic communications services” says Councillor Mushi, Chairperson of the Numbering Plan Resources Committee.

The recommendations from the CCC took into account the nature and duration of the non-compliance, the potential financial benefit derived from the conduct, and Session’s failure to cooperate fully with the investigation.

In light of the seriousness of the violations, ICASA has imposed on Session Telecoms a fine of R3 million for contravening Regulation 6(3)(f), and a further R3 million for contravening Regulation 6(3)(g).

In addition to the fines, ICASA has imposed the following sanctions on Session, as recommended by the CCC:

• Session is directed to cease any further contraventions of the Numbering Plan Regulations;
• The affected numbering resources are barred in order to prevent further harm and to protect the integrity of electronic communications networks;
• The affected numbering resources will be withdrawn where appropriate;
• Compliance by Session with these directives will be closely monitored by the Authority;
• Session is required to submit monthly compliance reports for a period of 24 months, including information relating to call records and international call traffic carried on its network.

The Authority believes that this decision reinforces the importance of compliance with the Numbering Plan Regulations.  It demonstrates ICASA’s commitment to ensuring the proper allocation, management and use of numbering resources within the telecommunications sector. The decision further serves as a deterrent against the misuse of numbering resources, and promotes fair competition, regulatory compliance and consumer protection.

For more information, please refer to the Authority’s decision and accompanying judgment.

Ends

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