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ICASA Amendment Bill 2010

After years of talking about it, the Department of Communications has secured the approval of Cabinet to a Bill to amend the ICASA Act. It is anticipated that the ICASA Amendment Bill 2010 will shortly be introduced into Parliament and thereafter released for public comment.

ICASA Amendment Bill

“The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (the Act), so as to change the position of Chief Executive Officer to Chief Operations Officer and to clearly differentiate between the functions of the Council and the Chief Operations Officer. The turn-around times of some of the responsibilities of the Authority are improved. A Tariff Advisory Council is created. The functioning of the Complaints and Compliance Committee is revised to improve the turnaround times for resolution of complaints and its effectiveness.”

Comments are due by 6 August 2010. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications has indicated, however, that it is unlikely that the Bill will be dealt with this year,

Determination with regard to universal access and universal service

The Department of Communications has issued a determination under section 82(3) of the Electronic Communications Act of 2005 (“the ECA”) setting out what is to be regarded as constituting (a) universal access by all areas and communities in South Africa to electronic communications services and electronic communications network services, and (b) universal provision for all people in South Africa of electronic communications services and access to electronic communications network services.

Determination of Universal Access to and Universal Service of Electronic Communications Services and Electronic Communications Network Services (Feb 2010)

The Determination also sets out universal access and universal service targets which be applicable for at least the next two years. It is not clear at this time how these targets will be applied to holders of ECS and ECNS licences.

DoC to host National Broadband Policy Colloquium: 18-19 November 2009

Update 20091116: The BB Policy Workshop Agenda is now available.

According to an advert published in the Sunday Times on 8 November 2009, the Department of Communications is hosting a National Broadband Colloquium to afford the public an opportunity to provide input on the Draft Broadband Policy for South Africa.

Date: 18 to 19 November 2009

Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre

Time: 08:00-16:00

Those wishing to attend can register here.

More information on the Draft National Broadband Policy can be found here.

Draft National Spectrum Policy

Better late than never. South Africa has been in desperate need of a policy governing the use of radio frequency spectrum and ICASA has been floundering around in its absence. The Department of Communications – and the new Minister in particular – need to be congratulated for identifying this document as a priority.

The Draft National Spectrum Policy was published by the Department on 18 September 2009. Comments are due by 17 October 2009.

We have prepared an Overview of the Draft National Spectrum Policy September 2009 to assist you in getting to grips with the basics of the document.

Draft National Broadband Policy

The Department of Communications appears to have woken from its long slumber and decided to attempt to play a meaningful and constructive role in developing ICT policy in South Africa.

One of a number of draft policy documents to emerge from the Department in the last three weeks is a Draft National Broadband Policy, which has been released for public comment.

We have prepared an Overview Draft National Broadband Policy September 2009 to help you get to grips with what is potentially an extremely important document.

Comments are due by no later than 17 October 2009.

ISPA Submission Draft National Broadband Policy 20091019

South African Radio Frequency Spectrum Audit

The Department of Communications has launched what is potentially the most useful thing it will achieve in the last decade

Draft Strategy on Local and Digital Content Development

The Department of Communications continues to awake from its long slumber and has released a notice calling for comment on a draft local and digital content development strategy.

Draft Local & Digital Content Development Strategy 20090904.

Submissions are due by 20 October 2009.

DoC Strategic Plan 2009 – 2012

The Department of Communications, under the stewardship of the new Minister General (Ret.) Siphiwe Nyanda, presented its Strategic Plan for 2009-2012 to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Communications on 11 June 2009.

We have a copy of the powerpoint presentation made – DoC Strategic Plan 2009-2012 Presentation.

Readers will no doubt be heartened to know that the top 5 priorities for the Department for 2009/10 are:

Broadcasting Digital Migration
Manage the Awareness Campaign
Roll-out of broadcasting digital infrastructure (Sentech, SABC)
Roll out of Scheme-for-Ownership-Support of STBs
Capacitate the Digital Dzonga Secretariat
Develop and implement the STB Manufacturing Sector Development Strategy
Develop and implement the Local and Digital Content Development Strategy

National Radio Frequency Spectrum
Develop Policy
Conduct Spectrum Audit up to 3 GHz
Develop National frequency plan

Cyber-security
Develop Policy
Undertake Identification of Critical Information Infrastructure

Affordable, reliable, robust and secure ICT Infrastructure
Develop Broadband Policy
Implement the Programme of Action to address South Africa


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Legal notices:
This site and the content on it is intended to facilitate greater understanding of the regulation of electronic communications in South Africa. Content does not, obviously, constitute legal advice. If it did there would probably be an invoice attached. Please use the site to become better informed and save yourself some money if and when you do need to consult a suitably qualified advisor.

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