What is Telkom
Overview
Telkom is a major South African telecommunications provider offering fixed-line, fibre broadband and mobile services to households and businesses.
Services include contract and prepaid mobile plans, fibre home and business packages, and bundled products with varying contract terms and device subsidies.
Why a cancellation guide matters
Cancelling Telkom services can involve multiple channels, documentation and possible early-termination charges depending on your contract.
This guide summarises practical steps, likely outcomes, consumer rights and common pitfalls for customers in South Africa.
How to cancel Telkom
Online (My Telkom / self-service)
- Log into My Telkom and go to Manage Accounts or My Profile.
- Select the service to cancel, upload required documents (for example, a South African ID) and submit the cancellation request.
- You should receive a reference number; cancellations are typically processed within about 30 days.
- Reference: MyBroadband: How to cancel your Telkom account.
USSD, mobile app, phone and in-store options
- USSD: On some Telkom numbers you can dial the provider USSD code and use Self-Service → Active Subscriptions to cancel and receive SMS confirmation.
- Mobile app: Open the Telkom app, go to My Account / My Products → Subscriptions or Manage, select the service and confirm cancellation; you should receive a confirmation.
- Phone or store: Call the Telkom contact centre (use your bill for the current number such as 10213 or the mobile short code) or visit a Telkom store with ID and account details to request cancellation.
- Email: Fixed broadband cancellation forms and supporting ID can be emailed to Telkom cancellation addresses where applicable (check your bill or Telkom communications for the correct email).
What happens when you cancel
Service access and final billing
Service access typically continues until the cancellation is processed. Telkom may generate a final bill covering outstanding charges and any prorated amounts.
Cancellation may not be immediate; expect a processing window (commonly up to 30 days or longer in disputed cases).
Contract obligations and device subsidies
If you are on a fixed-term contract with a subsidised device, early termination penalties or outstanding device balances may apply.
Telkom must account for any remaining handset equity and may charge reasonable cancellation fees in line with the contract.
Will I get a refund?
Standard refund expectations
Telkom’s public terms do not specify an automatic 14-day cooling-off refund for all services; refunds depend on the contract and billing situation.
If you have a credit balance after cancellation (for example, unused prepaid amounts or overpayment), you should contact Telkom billing to request a refund.
Exceptions and delays
- Early termination fees may reduce any refundable amount when cancelling a fixed-term contract early.
- Some customers report delays retrieving deposits or credits; persistence, follow-up and escalation are often required for resolution.
- For disputed debits after cancellation you can approach your bank to reverse debit orders and provide cancellation proof to credit bureaux if necessary. See consumer-rights guidance below.
Telkom plans and pricing
Representative plans
The table below lists example plans and monthly pricing sourced from Telkom pricing updates in 2025. Check your account or Telkom communications for your exact charges.
| Plan | Price | 期間 | Features |
| Fibre Home Unlimited 100Mbps | R965.00 | Monthly | Fixed broadband fibre, unlimited data, 100Mbps |
| Telkom FlexOn 10 | R379.00 | Monthly | Mobile contract subscription |
| SmartPhone Basic | R50.00 | Monthly | 150MB data, 150 SMS, 150 minutes (network split) |
| WhatsApp Bundle, Unlimited Monthly | R100.00 | Monthly | Unlimited WhatsApp chat, voice & video, status |
Your consumer rights in South Africa
Cancellation rights under the law
Under the Consumer Protection Act (Section 14), consumers may cancel fixed-term agreements by giving reasonable notice even if the contract states otherwise.
Suppliers may charge reasonable cancellation penalties, but must account for handset equity and other offsets when calculating any outstanding amount.
Dealing with disputed charges and credit records
- If Telkom continues to charge you after cancellation, you can ask your bank to reverse debit orders (time-limits apply) and submit cancellation proof to credit bureaux to correct listings.
- Escalate unresolved disputes through Telkom complaints channels, and consider approaching the National Consumer Commission or the Ombud where necessary.
- Reference: ThePost: Consumer cancelling a contract - know your rights.
Customer experiences
Common positive feedback
Some customers report helpful Telkom agents who handled special needs cases patiently and resolved reconnections or account issues satisfactorily.
Positive experiences are less common but do occur, often when cases are handled by experienced service staff.
Common negative feedback
Many customers report continued billing after submitting cancellations, long processing delays and difficulties reaching the correct department.
Other recurring issues include rude or unhelpful service, billing errors and escalations that take months to resolve. See aggregated reviews for examples.
Reference: Telkom reviews on Trustpilot.
Documentation checklist
Essential documents to prepare
- South African ID or passport (copy) for the account holder.
- Recent Telkom account or bill showing the account number and subscriber details.
- Completed cancellation form if required (fixed-broadband cancellations often require a form).
Optional supporting paperwork
- Proof of payment for recent bills if you will dispute final charges.
- Device purchase or subsidy agreements if you have a handset on contract.
- Any prior cancellation reference numbers or email confirmations.
Common mistakes
Delaying documentation or not keeping proof
Not uploading or emailing required ID and the cancellation form can delay processing. Always keep copies of what you submit.
Obtain and keep a cancellation reference number or a confirmation email; this is essential if you need to escalate or dispute further debits.
Assuming cancellation is immediate
Some customers assume service and billing stop immediately - this is not always the case. Expect a processing period and check your bank statements for continued debits.
If debits continue after cancellation, escalate quickly with Telkom and your bank, providing proof of the cancellation request.
Comparative recap
Overview of cancellation channels
The table below compares common methods to cancel a Telkom service and typical outcomes to help you choose the best route.
| Method | Ease | Typical processing time | Evidence provided |
| My Telkom (web) | Medium - requires account login and document upload | About 30 days (varies) | Reference number and on-screen confirmation |
| Telkom mobile app | Easy - simple UI for subscribers | Within days to weeks depending on verification | In-app confirmation and/or email |
| USSD or short code | Easy for simple subscriptions | Often immediate confirmation by SMS, final processing may take longer | SMS confirmation |
| Phone call or store visit | Varies - can be fast but may require escalation | Same-day to weeks depending on queue and verification | Reference number; ask for an email or written confirmation |
| Email with completed form | Medium - good for fixed-line and fibre cancellations | Often 30 days; delays reported in some cases | Email acknowledgement and reference number |
After cancelling
Follow-up actions
Check your bank statements for any continued debits and contact Telkom billing immediately if you see charges after cancellation.
Request a final statement and any refund where a credit balance exists; escalate if the refund is delayed.
Resources and escalation
Address
Contact details
Email for cancellation forms and queries (check your account or bill for current email): [email protected].
Common contact numbers quoted by customers include call-centre numbers printed on your bill (for example, 10213 or local Telkom numbers). For billing refund queries try Telkom billing lines that appear on your statement (e.g., 10210).
Where to go for unresolved disputes
If Telkom does not resolve your cancellation or refund dispute, consider lodging a complaint with the National Consumer Commission or pursuing remedies through the Ombud or relevant dispute-resolution body.
For rights and escalation guidance see: Consumer cancellation rights (ThePost).