[28 November 2025] As required by the final policy direction, ICASA has commenced an inquiry into whether it should issue new individual service licences and futher updates on this process are available here.

This was an exceptionally efficient process.

Event Calendar (work) days elapsed Notes
Draft published for public comment 21 May 2025 0
Closing date for submissions 5 July 2025 44 (31)
Final policy direction published 22 August 2025 94 (67) Policy process complete. ICASA directed to initiate an inquiry under section 4B of the ICASA Act within three months. 

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[22 August 2025] The Minister has published a final policy direction.

Policy direction to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa on inquiry into need for applications for Individual Electronic Communications Network Services Licences

2. Policy Direction
2.1 The Authority is hereby directed, in terms of section 3(2) of the Act, to undertake an inquiry in terms of section 4B of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (Act No. 13 of 2000) (the ICASA Act). The inquiry should consider:
2.1.1 whether or not the implementation of the framework in the Act which allows for the transfer of individual electronic communications network services and electronic communications service licences, has been effective and efficient with regard to the promotion of competition within the sector;
2.1.2 the demand for and need to invite, accept and consider applications for new individual electronic communications network services licences;
2.1.3 whether new individual electronic communications network service licences will promote the objects of the Act and specifically improve competition in the market for individual electronic communications network services;
2.1.4 whether or not and how new individual electronic communications network service licences will contribute to universal provision of electronic communications networks; and
2.1.5 whether the benefits of new individual electronic communications network service licences outweigh the costs including the cost to the Authority of monitoring and enforcing compliance with any such licences, and the burden on the environment.
2.2 The Authority is directed to –
2.2.1 commence the inquiry within three months of the date of publication of the policy direction; and
2.2.2 submit a report to the Minister in respect of such matters as are set out in paragraph 2.1 within 14 days of making a finding as contemplated in section 4C(6) of the ICASA Act, to enable the Minister to consider whether or not to issue a further policy direction in terms of section 3 read with section 5(6) of the Act.

ICASA has until 22 November 2025 to commence the required inquiry. This is usually done through the publication of a discussion document or questionnaire.

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[23 April 2025] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a draft policy direction to ICASA which requires the regulator to investigate whether to open up applications for individual electronic communications network services (IECNS) licences.

Proposed Policy Direction to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa on Inquiry into need for Applications for Individual Electronic Communications Network Services Licences

Written submissions are due by 3 July 2025. These can be sent to iecns@dcdt.gov.za marked for the attention of Mr. A Wiltz, Chief Director, Digital Access and Services.

The draft policy direction is set out below:

2. Policy Direction

2.1 The Authority is hereby directed, in terms of section 3 of the Act, to undertake an inquiry in terms of section 4B of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (Act No. 13 of 2000). The inquiry should consider:

2.1.1 the demand for and need to invite, accept and consider applications for new individual electronic communications network services licences;

2.1.2 whether new individual electronic communications network service licences will promote the objects of the Act and specifically improve competition in the market for individual electronic communications network services;

2.1.3 whether or not and how new individual electronic communications network service licences will contribute to universal provision of electronic communications networks; and

2.1.4 whether the benefits of new individual electronic communications network service licences outweigh the costs including the cot to the Authority of monitoring and enforcing compliance with any such licences, and the burden on the environment.

2.2 The Authority is directed to submit a report to the Minister in respect of such matters within a period of no longer than six (6) months to enable the Minister to consider whether or not to issue a further policy direction in terms of section 3 read with section 5(6) of the Act.

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