Icasa must go back to the drawing board on mobile broadband rules
Source: Icasa must go back to the drawing board on mobile broadband rules
mobile broadband services regulations 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | [14 October 2025] The High Court has delivered its judgement on the review application initiated by MTN in September 2022, delivering an overwhelming victory for the mobile network operator. Mobile Telephone Network (Pty) Ltd v Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and Others (2022/026554) [2025] [...]
review of universal service and access obligation framework
[14 October 2025] ICASA has initiated a process to review some of the universal service and access obligations imposed on Telkom SOC Ltd. Draft Amendment to Telkom USAOs 10 October 2025 Short version: these are obligations imposed on Telkom when it was granted its public switched telecommunications service (PSTS) licence in 1997. Unsurprisingly, some of [...]
call termination regulations
[6 June 2025] A reminder that new maximum call termination come into effect on 1 July 2025. Mobile termination rates (maximum)(Rands per minute ex VAT) Type of operator Current 1 July 2025 1 July 2026 1 July 2027 Large (Voda, MTN) R0.09 R0.07 R0.05 R0.04 Small (everyone else) R0.13 R0.09 R0.05 R0.04 New (up to [...]
protection of personal information act 2013
[5 July 2023] The Information Regulator is in receipt of a proposed code of conduct from the Direct Marketing Association of Southern Africa (DMASA), dealing with how personal information will be processed in the Direct Marketing Industry.
digital transformation roadmap
[17 May 2025] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies launched a roadmap for the digital transformation of government on 13 May 2025. South Africa's Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government 2025 The intention of the Digital Transformation Roadmap is to modernise government services through digitisation and to develop “digital public infrastructure” or “DPI”, [...]
broadband infraco
[17 May 2025] Broadband Infraco has withdrawn its application for an amendment of its IECNS licence on the basis that it no longer needs an extension to complete the universal service and access obligations set out in the licence. BBI Withdrawal of Application for Licence Amendment 14 May 2025 ___ [13 April 2025] Broadband Infraco [...]
ICASA and the Competition Commission
[8 May 2026] The Minister of Trade, IOndustry and Competition has updated the thresholds applicable to notifications to the Competition Commission of proposed mergers and acquisitions. DTIC New Thresholds for Merger Notifications 8 May 2026 The new thresholds came into effect on 1 May 2026. __ [8 September 2019] ICASA and the Competition Commission [...]
ownership and control of service licences
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | [29 April 2025] ICASA has approved an application brought by Cell C to transfer control over its individual electronic communications network service and individual electronic communications services licences as well as its radio frequency spectrum licences. Cell C Transfer of Control Application [...]
medium-term development plan 2024-2029
[12 April 2025] The Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024 has been published. This is an important overarching framework for government activities over the next five years. The table below sets out connectivity and device access targets: Intervention indicators Intervention baseline Mid-term targets End-term targets Lead Department Population coverage of 5G networks 38.4% 5G population coverage [...]
national communications satellite strategy
[1 April 2025] The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) provided Parliament with an update on the National Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Strategy on 1 April 2025. National Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Strategy Progress Update ___ [27 November 2024] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and [...]
Competition Commission Inquiry into Data Services Market
[23 February 2025] The Competition Commission provided an update on the outcome of its Data Services Market Inquiry (DSMI) to the Portfolio Committee for Communications and Digital Technologies on 11 February 2025. Highlights of the Commission’s work on Communications & Digital Technologies The Commission pointed to the below successes: Settlements were negotiated with Vodacom/MTN to [...]
ICASA’s Cost to Communicate Programme
[23 February 2025] ICASA updated the Portfolio Committee for Communications and Digital Technologies on its cost to communicate programme and other matters on 11 February 2025. ICASA Presentation to the PCDCT on the cost to communicate, spectrum management, data analysis, quality of service & funding __ [15 March 2019] Below is a link to ICASA's [...]
ICT and Digital Economic Masterplan for South Africa
[26 January 2025] The DCDT is looking for information on any projects falling within the scope of the Digital Economy Masterplan through a questionnaire circulated to industry. SURVEY TRACKING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS (pdf) SURVEY TRACKING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS (word) Inquiries can be direct to Mr Gavin Morkel, gmorkel@dcdt.gov.za. __ [23 January [...]
dealing with WASP subscription services
[17 June 2024] mybroadband.co.za has published updated advice on blocking WASP or content services on your handset: Vodacom SMS Send an SMS containing “STOP ALL” to 31050: If you are subscribed to WASP services, you should receive a response indicating that your request to unsubscribe has been received. You should then receive messages confirming that [...]
national radio frequency spectrum policy
[10 June 2024] In readable form... Ellipsis Overview of the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development 2024 __ [28 May 2024] South Africa has a new national radio frequency spectrum policy. Next-Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum for Economic Development 2024 __ [25 February 2024] The Estimate of National Expenditure (ENE) for the DCDT [...]
hate speech online
[20 May 2024] The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023 has been assented to by the President and will come into force on a date to be proclaimed. Prevention and Combating of Hate Speech Act 2023 The Act does not impose direct obligations on electronic communications service providers. [...]
ICASA Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs)
[4 August 2023] ICASA has published the following final RFSAPs: RFSAP for the frequency band 138 - 144 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 156.8375 - 174 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 335.4 - 380 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 380 - 399.9 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 406.1 - 410 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 410 - 430 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 440 - 450 MHZ
zero-rating of mobile content
[9 May 2024] ICASA has published details of the process under which public benefit organisations (PBOs) – including government departments – can apply for assessment as to whether their mobile content must be zero-rated by the mobile network operators (MNOs). Notice outlining the process for submitting applications for mobile content to be zero rated The [...]
frequency migration regulations and frequency migration plan
[2 April 2024] ICASA has published proposed amendments to the roadmap for use of radio frequency spectrum for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) in South Africa. Draft International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap 2024 The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on Monday 10 June 2024, and these can be emailed to Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho using [...]
ICASA complaints against licensees for non-compliance
[26 March 2024] ICASA has again called for non-compliant licensees to take steps to rectify their non-compliance. ICASA notice to non-responsive ECS and ECNS licensees (second notice) Licensees listed in Annexure A to the above notice have remained non-responsive and non-compliant following the previous notice published in August 2023 (see below). These licensees must submit [...]
World Radiocommunication Conference
[18 March 2024] The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has given notice that it is convening the National Preparatory Working Group (NPWG) to start preparations for South Africa’s participation in the next World Radiocommunication Conference, scheduled for 2027 (WRC-27). Agenda for WRC-27 Provisional Final Acts WRC-23 __ [3 April 2020] The World Radiocommunication Conference [...]
Interception & monitoring of electronic communications
[31 August 2023] The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Amendment Bill has been published and is under consideration by the National Assembly.
ICASA 5G Forum
[7 October 2023] ICASA will host the third 5G Forum Meeting in Sandton on 11 and 12 October 2023 (09h00 – 17h00 each day). Programme of the 3rd 5G Forum meeting - 2023 Those interested in participaing may send an email to Fifthgeneration@icasa.org.za to request the link for online participation. The CSIR will hold a Stakeholders Brainstorming [...]
Cybercrimes Act
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | [6 October 2023] The Minister of Police has published final Standard Operating Procedures under the Cybercrimes Act. Cybercrimes Act Standard Operating Procedures 6 October 2023 ___ [25 July 2022] The Draft SAPS Standard Operating Procedures under section 26 of [...]
ICASA Consumer Advisory Panel
[14 July 2023] ICASA has published the Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations, 2023 which repeals the Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations, 2017. Links to the Regulations and Reasons Document can be found below. Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations, 2023 Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations, 2023 - Reasons Document ___ [14 November 2022] ICASA has published draft Consumer Advisory Panel [...]
Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy
[6 July 2023] The Minister and Department of Communications and Digital Technologies provided Parliament with an update on progress in completing broadcast digital migration (BDM) and the announcement of an analogue switch off (ASO) date. BDM Progress Presentation ___ [23 June 2023] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has gazetted the date/s for the [...]
Amendment of licensing regulations
| 2021 | 2020 | 2018 | 2016 | 2015 | [1 April 2023] Please see below for links to the finalised Individual licensing regulations: Amendment Standard Terms and Conditions Regulations for Individual Licences, 2023 Reasons: Amendment Standard Terms and Conditions Regulations for Individual Licences, 2023 Licensing Processes and Procedures for Individual Licences Amendment [...]
ICASA review of Number Portability Regulations
2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 [14 November 2022] ICASA has published final regulations amending the Ordering System Specification for Geographic, Non-Geographic and Mobile Number Portability. Second Amendment Ordering System Specification for Geographic, Non-Geographic and Mobile Number Portability, 2022 ___ [3 January 2022] ICASA has published an amended Ordering System Specification for [...]
National Infrastructure Plan 2050
[8 November 2022] The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has published the draft National Infrastructure Plan 2050 Phase 2 for public comment. Comments are due by 9 December 2022 and should be submitted to the Deputy Director-General: Infrastructure Investment Planning | NIP2050Phase2@dpw.gov.za and any enquiries can be directed to Mr Charles Mabuza, Lead: [...]