numbering plan regulations 2016
[21 September 2023] ICASA has published draft amendments to the Numbering Plan Regulations 2016, which amend the prescribed period of inactivity for numbers.
satellite licensing framework
[29 June 2026] ICASA has published a notice setting out the licensing requirements for satellite operators to provide services in South Africa. ICASA Notice regarding licensing requirements to operate satellite services The notice provides a non-exhaustive list of licensing scenarios: Service licensing If a single entity intends to provide services using a satellite constellation, it [...]
Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2026
[23 June 2026] The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has issued an invitation to stakeholders and interested parties to make written submissions on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12–2026]. Invitation to Comment on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12-2026] The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on 21 August 2026 and these can [...]
artificial intelligence policy and regulation in South Africa
[19 June 2026] The Draft South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 was officially withdrawn on 12 June 2026. Withdrawal of Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 The withdrawal is due to the Draft Policy containing references to non-existent sources, indicating that AI was used in its generation without due oversight and checking. A lesson [...]
ICASA
[26 May 2026] The communications regulator provided Parliament wtih an update on some key issues on 15 May 2026. Future Overall Agenda on the use of Spectrum and Market Oversight: Enforcement of Infrastructure Sharing, Universal Service Compliance and Social Obligations __ [24 April 2026] ICASA presented its Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the period [...]
policy direction to ICASA on broad-based black economic empowerment
[13 May 2026] ICASA has communicated through a media release that it has written to the Minister to inform him that, after due consideration of the terms of the December 2025 policy direction, it cannot proceed to align its regulations with the ICT Sector Code until such time as appropriate and necessary amendments have been [...]
audio and audiovisual media services policy
[27 February 2026] The DCDT indicated in Parliament on 24 February 2026 that a final National Policy on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services will be gazetted before the end of 31 March 2026. It has been a long road.... Event Date Calendar (work) days elapsed Notes First draft published for public comment 9 October 2020 [...]
ICASA service licence renewals
[19 February 2026] ICASA has published information about the renewal of individual electronic communications network service (IECNS) and individual electronic communications services (IECS) licences. ICASA Notice on Renewal of IECNS and IECS Licences According to the notice: Renewal applications must be lodged no earlier than twelve (12) months and no later than six (6) [...]
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 [...]
National State of Disaster due to COVID-19 – South African Telecommunications Sector
Telecoms-specific content | Telecoms-specific regulations | Documents and processes needed to provide essential services | General regulations | ICASA and other organisations | Miscellaneous links | Ongoing updates | 2021 | 2020 | [13 May 2022] Following the termination of the [...]
Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) & communications
[26 July 2020] The Minister of Public Works and Administration has gazetted additional Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPS) which include: Strategic Integrated Project No 22: Digital Infrastructure Sub-project: a. National Spatial Infrastructure Hub Strategic Integrated Project No 30: Digitising of Government Information Programme Strategic Integrated Project No 35: SA Connect Phase 1B Programme Designation of Strategic [...]
Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2018
[13 February 2019] We have been provided with a copy of the letter effecting the withdrawal of the Bill. Letter to Portfolio Committee Chair 12 February 2019 The letter suggests that: the Department has already engaged with some stakeholders about this process; and we are likely to have a further policy review process prior to [...]
BEE ICT Sector Code
[30 January 2017] The B-BBEE ICT Sector Council presented on its progress in implementing the ICT Sector Code to the Portfolio Committee for Telecommunications and Postal Services on 24 January 2017. The Council noted that – since it was established in September 2015 – it has: Consulted with the ICT Industry as part of the [...]
Telkom acquisition of BCX
[2 February 2015] Telkom and BCG - parent company to BCX - have notified ICASA that they have withdrawn this application on the basis of legal advice received. It is highly likely that this relates to arguments raised in the public hearings into the application brought by Vodacom and Neotel for transfer of control over [...]
Consultative process to develop a comprehensive paper on the taxation of electronic services
[16 April 2014] National Treasury notes in a press release that the growth and development of electronic services raises many complex issues, and hence that traditional tax (both indirect and direct) and regulatory measures may not be as effective in meeting their objectives as they for traditional goods and services. There is a need to modernise [...]
Line Maintenance Organisation (LMO) licensing no longer required
[27 August 2013] Suppliers and installers of PABXs and other terminating equipment should note that the requirement to apply for and maintain an LMO licence is no longer in force. ICASA has advised in the "Reasons Document in Respect of Type Approval Regulations, 2013 and Labelling Regulations, 2013", that with the repeal of the Enactment [...]
Content regulation in a digitally-converged environment
[25 June 2013] The Final Report in ICASA's Review of the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework towards a Digitally Converged Environment was published on 25 June 2013. The Conclusions section is set out below: Final Report on Review of Broadcasting Regulatory Framework June 2013 ___ 5 PART D: CONCLUSION 5.1 This broadcasting regulatory review process has resulted in [...]
Notice to submit proof of compliance with annual licence fee and USAF contribution obligations for licensees
[28 December 2012] ICASA published a notice on 19 December 2012 calling on licensees which it had not responded to its prior informal requests to provide proof of compliance with their obligations to pay annual licence fees and the required contribution to the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF). Those licensees listed in the schedule [...]
Electronic Communications and Transactions Amendment Bill
Note: the below process was never finalised The Minister of Communications published a draft Electronic Communications and Transactions Amendment Bill for comment on 26 October 2012. The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECT Act") is the legislation which underpins digital commerce and regulation in South Africa. Electronic Communications and Transactions Amendment Bill [...]
Draft Policy Directions on high demand spectrum and the exploitation of the digital dividend
[31 August 2014] Just a note to confirm that this process was never concluded and should now be regarded as having been abandoned. Updated radio frequency spectrum policy remains outstanding. ___ [1 February 2012] A notice was published in today's Government Gazette extending the period for comment to 29 February 2012. This will no doubt require ICASA [...]
Draft Spectrum Assignment Plans for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands
[5 March 2012] ICASA has withdrawn this process until further notice and pending the finalisation of the Minister's policy directions. The following submissions were made to the "ghost deadline" of 29 February 2012: AppChat Broadband Infraco CDG Cell C City of Cape Town DBI ETV GSMA Kawuleza MNET MWEB Orbicom Qualcomm Sentech SKA Telkom Vodacom [...]
ICASA releases Findings on Local Loop Unbundling Framework
ICASA has released their findings on the recently ended Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) hearings. In general the outcome of the process is disappointing and seems to be in the form of meeting obstacles to LLU raised by Telkom as opposed to using the available tools to achieve LLU. Given the expectations of the industry after [...]
The Draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2012
[14 November 2011] The Department of Communications has gazetted a draft amendment to the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) of 2005. The bill aims to make changes to a wide range of items in the ECA. Included in the same notice is a memorandum with the objects and reasoning behind each of the proposed amendments, providing [...]
ICASA Annual Report: Service Licensing
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Registration of Class Licences and Unreserved Postal Services ICASA granted the following licences in the annual reporting period. Licences/Certificate Number of Licences Granted Community Television 6 Class Sound Broadcasting, including community, community low power, community Special Event and Commercial [...]
ICASA Annual Report: Consumer Affairs
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Consumer affairs and complaints ICASA handles the resolution of consumer complaints in the sphere of communication services. The following table details the complaints received in the period ending 31 March 2011 Quality of Service complaints QUALITY OF SERVICE Description [...]
ICASA Annual Report: Frequency Issues and Type Approval
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Radio Frequency Licensing statistics At 31 March 2011 a total of 46 109 frequency licences for various services were held. Number of licences as at 1 April 2010 New Licenses Cancellations Number of licences as at 31 March 2011 [...]
ICASA Annual Report: Legal and the CCC
Legal and the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) Legal and the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) provide support to ICASA in a host of litigation matters, the drafting and review of ICASA regulations and other regulatory documents, as well as providing legal advice and support to the various departments within ICASA. Litigation Matters The following [...]