Session Telecoms (Pty) Ltd has announced plans to challenge a decision by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) that imposed a R6 million administrative fine and additional regulatory sanctions over alleged breaches of the country’s Numbering Plan Regulations.
The telecommunications operator said it had instructed its legal representatives to seek a review of the ruling, which was adopted by the ICASA Council on 18 June 2026 following recommendations from the regulator’s Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC).
The ruling followed a complaint submitted by MTN against Session Telecoms, with the CCC finding that the company had contravened two provisions of the Numbering Plan Regulations.
ICASA subsequently imposed two separate R3 million fines, alongside measures including the barring and withdrawal of certain numbers, 24 months of mandatory reporting, and continued regulatory monitoring.
Session Telecoms said it disagrees with key aspects of both the findings and the sanctions imposed, adding that it believes there are grounds to challenge the decision through the appropriate legal process.
“We respectfully disagree with material aspects of both the findings and the sanctions imposed. “Having obtained advice from Senior Counsel, we believe there are substantial grounds to challenge the decision,” said Hanro Wentzel of Session Telecoms.
The company said it would allow the legal process to take its course and would not disclose the specific grounds of its review application while the matter remains before the relevant authorities.
Session Telecoms maintained that it cooperated with ICASA throughout the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to complying with telecommunications regulations.
In addition to challenging the ruling, Session Telecoms has called on ICASA to initiate public hearings into telecommunications fraud, describing the issue as a broader industry challenge requiring coordinated action.
The company said practices such as interconnect bypass and manipulation of calling line identification affect multiple operators and consumers, arguing that the problem cannot be addressed by a single company alone.
“Interconnect bypass and the manipulation of calling line identification are serious problems that affect every operator and, ultimately, all South African consumers,” Wentzel said. Session Telecoms said a comprehensive review should examine the scale of telecommunications fraud in South Africa, its impact on consumers and possible solutions involving all industry stakeholders.
It added that fraud involving inbound international routes represents only one aspect of a wider challenge, with consumers potentially affected at different stages of the telecommunications call chain.
The company reiterated its willingness to participate in any sector-wide engagement initiated by ICASA to address telecommunications fraud and improve consumer protection.
Session Telecoms provides wholesale voice and interconnection services in South Africa and operates under Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Network Service (ECNS) licences issued by ICASA
