SATA Proposes Flat Data Roaming Fee Across SADC, Inspired by EU Model

(3 Minutes Read)

The Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) has proposed a unified flat-rate data roaming tariff across SADC countries, modeled after the EU’s “roam like at home” policy. Announced at the Sata2025 conference in Johannesburg, the “One SADC” initiative aims to eliminate high roaming costs and the need for local SIM cards, making cross-border mobile data access seamless.

Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong introduced the plan, highlighting a broader strategy to boost digital integration in the region. The initiative includes building a borderless fibre network connecting all 14 SADC nations and establishing a Tier-4 regional data centre powered by Telkom’s Openserve.

Currently, roaming charges in SADC can be up to 100 times higher than domestic rates. While bilateral efforts between countries like Botswana and Namibia have already reduced costs by up to 60%, SATA’s multilateral approach seeks to extend benefits region-wide, potentially driving intra-regional trade and economic activity.

Taukobong acknowledged potential revenue challenges for mobile operators, as seen in the EU, but stressed the importance of affordable, accessible connectivity. However, without a central regulatory body like in the EU, SADC’s success will rely on voluntary cooperation and alignment across diverse telecom markets.

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Despite regulatory and economic hurdles, increasing cross-border movement, like the 1.1 million travellers through South Africa during Easter 2024, underscores the need for reform. With Telkom’s Openserve set to take over SATA leadership, the proposal marks a significant step toward greater digital inclusion and regional connectivity.