Moongo takes aim at MTC and Telecom data expiration

Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Winnie Moongo has raised concerns over data expiration policies and time limits imposed by Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Telecom Namibia (TN).

In her notice of questions to information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus on Thursday, Moongo said the use of prepaid mobile data has become a basic service in Namibia, allowing access to education, job opportunities, financial services and politics.

“Although prepaid customers pay upfront for data as a quantifiable service, current policies implemented by mobile network operators such as MTC and TN Mobile often result in consumers losing paid-for data due to restrictive usage timelines,” she said.

She said as the sector regulator, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia plays a central role in ensuring that these practices align with national consumer protection principles and the public interest.

Moongo argued that the elimination of data expiration is not only a concern of consumer value but also of digital inclusion and economic justice.

Moongo questioned if the government recognises the financial burden imposed on prepaid consumers when unused mobile data expires without rollover options.

“How does this affect low-income and rural Namibians disproportionately and how does the government justify allowing prepaid data to expire when consumers have already paid for it in full?” she asked.

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