snippets
This section provides updates on the latest developments in electronic communications regulation and policy.
Hearings into Draft Underserviced Area Definition Regulations
Posted in : snippets, universal Access
Update 6 February 2012: Hearings now scheduled for 9 February 2012. Update 26 January 2012: these hearings have been postponed indefinitely as a result of the strike action at ICASA. According to a Media Release stakeholders will be informed of new dates in due course. Hearings will be held at ICASA on the 20th January 2012 [...]
Licensee compliance framework finalised
Posted in : licensing, snippets
[Post updated 24 January 2012: dates for submissions amended after discussions with ICASA] ICASA has finally published the Compliance Manual Regulations which set out the different reports which the holders of electronic communications services (ECS) and electronic communications network services (ECNS) licences are required to submit in order to ensure compliance with the terms and [...]
Draft Spectrum Assignment Plans for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands
Posted in : frequency, News, Open for comment, snippets
Update 24 January 2012: ICASA has published a notice amending the timetable set out in the Draft ITA while also inserting network roll-out obligations for the three packages to be made available. The new timeline: Publication of the Spectrum Plan by 15 December 2011 Closing date for Comments by 29 February 2012 Public Hearings from [...]
Content regulation in a digitally-converged environment
Posted in : News, Open for comment, snippets, Uncategorized
ICASA has published an Issues Paper on the Review of the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework towards a Digitally Converged Environment (6MB .pdf). This is mainly focused on broadcasting but potentially touches on issues relevant to electronic communications service providersn such as Internet Service Providers when it covers the need to review content regulation on broadcasters given [...]
ICASA Notice – Shareholding Structure (IECS & IECNS)
Posted in : snippets, Uncategorized
ICASA has issued a notice in the Government Gazette published on 28 December 2011, requesting shareholding information from certain Individual licensees. The notice specifies 82 licensees who ICASA believes have yet to provide the shareholding information specified. These licensees have 14 days to submit the requested information or they will be referred to the [...]
ICASA releases Findings on Local Loop Unbundling Framework
Posted in : competition, ICASA, News, snippets
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 [...]
Posted in : snippets, Uncategorized
The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill gazetted on the 4th of November has been withdrawn by the Department of Communication. The Department cites the need “…to allow further consultation within government on the contents of the Bill” as the reason for the sudden about-face. Gazette 34774 (Withdrawal of the EC Amendment Bill 2011)
The Draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill
Posted in : News, Open for comment, policy, snippets
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 some insight into [...]
Recategorisation of Medium-Wave Frequencies
Posted in : frequency, snippets
ICASA has released a reasons document for the recategorisation of medium-wave frequencies. A determination has been made by ICASA so as to provide a regulatory framework of all spare MW radio frequency spectrum within the catergories designated as per the Electronic Communications Act No.36 of 2005. Also given are procedures and criteria for the awarding [...]
Draft Policy Directions on high demand spectrum and the exploitation of the digital dividend
Posted in : frequency, News, Open for comment, policy, snippets
Update 20120201: A notice was published in today’s Government Gazette extending the period for comment to 29 February 2012. This will no doubt require ICASA to push out the dates for the initiation of its process once again. __ The Minister of Communications has published two draft policy directions for public comment. Once finalised the policy [...]
more ...