Editorial Policy
DataCost publishes telecom comparison content for consumers. The goal is to help people make practical prepaid, data, and USSD decisions, not to repeat operator marketing claims.
Editorial Scope
DataCost covers South African mobile data prices, prepaid bundles, operator comparison pages, USSD shortcuts, airtime and data troubleshooting, WASP/VAS subscription issues, and practical consumer guides.
We prioritise pages that help users make a decision or solve a problem. Thin pages, unsupported claims, and duplicate pages that do not add useful context should be avoided or improved.
Author and Review Standards
DataCost is edited by Riccardo Vallaro, Telecom & Mobile Services Specialist, with experience across mobile services, VAS, carrier billing, mobile content, and African operator partnerships.
Major guides should show an author/reviewer block, a reviewed or updated date, a short explanation of why the guide can be trusted, and a correction route for users who spot outdated information.
Sources and Verification
Price and USSD content should be checked against public operator pages, official support pages, app or USSD flows where practical, and user correction reports after review.
If a price, shortcut, or offer may vary by SIM, tariff, region, account type, promotion, or personalised menu, the page should say so rather than presenting it as guaranteed.
Independence
Rankings and recommendations are produced by the editorial method described on the methodology page. Commercial relationships do not guarantee better placement and should not override cheaper or more relevant consumer options.
Sponsored placements, where used, should be clearly distinguishable from editorial comparison content.
Conflicts and Disclosure
If content includes referral or partner links, this may generate revenue for DataCost. We aim to disclose this clearly and avoid hidden incentives.
Users should always verify final pricing, eligibility, validity, and usage restrictions on the operator's official page, app, USSD menu, or checkout confirmation before purchase.
Accuracy and Corrections
Telecom pricing and promo structures can change quickly. We update content periodically and prioritize corrections when credible reports are received.
If you identify an error, contact us with the affected URL, network, observed price or code, where you checked it, and the date. Corrections that affect buying decisions, airtime loss, balance checks, or subscription cancellation are treated as priority updates.
Advertising and User Experience
Ads or partner placements should not block the main answer, imitate navigation, hide the comparison content, or make it difficult for users to reach the information they came for.
Trust and legal pages should stay focused on accountability and site operation, not promotional claims.