[22 August 2020] The High Court has delivered a clear and compelling judgement on electronic communications facilities leasing, a pro-competitive remedy which is critical to allowing access to and sharing of infrastructure. Telkom v ICASA & others 28332_18 The story is well-known: Vodacom had requested access to space in Telkom ducts to deploy fibre alongside [...]
[14 August 2020] ICASA reminds interested communities to respond to the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for pre-registration in respect of applications for Digital Community Television Broadcasting Service Licences and applications for Radio Frequency Spectrum on Multiplex 1 (Mux 1). There will be two phases to the process: Phase 1: Consideration of the applications for pre-registration [...]
[31 August 2020] The Constitutional Court has affirmed that licensees seeking to deploy electronic communications facilities on municipal land are required to comply with applicable municipal bylaws. Telkom, having come second in the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal in its attempts to legitimise its roll-out of masts without complying with zoning bylaws, [...]
[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 [...]
[22 May 2020] ICASA have published the following final RFSAPs: Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the frequency band 2500 to 2690 MHz Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the frequency band 470 to 694 MHz ICASA Media Release: Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the 470 to 694 MHz Frequency Band ___ [31 January [...]
[8 July 2020] ICASA have released updated licensee lists for May 2020: ICASA List of IECS and IECNS Licensees (May 2020) ICASA List of CECS Licensees (May 2020) ICASA List of CECNS Licensees (May 2020) ___ [4 August 2018] ICASA List of class licensees August 2018 ___ [11 September 2017] ICASA List of Class Licensees September [...]
[2 April 2020] The date public for comments on proposed revisions to the universal service and access obligations imposed on Rain Networks has been extended to 24 April 2020 (previously 2 April 2020), with the date for Rain's responses extended to 26 June 2020 (previously 12 April 2020). ICASA Media Release ___ [15 March 2020] [...]
[9 August 2014] After an inordinate delay, ICASA have published a reasons document which sets out their reasons for both the General Licence Fee Regulations 2012 as well as the General Licence Fees Amendment Regulations 2014. This follows unhappiness from industry regarding the latest amendment, with at least one industry party lodging a formal [...]
[24 March 2020] ICASA have finalised this process, publishing amendments to the official list. Official list of Regulated Standards for Technical Equipment and Electronic Communications Facilities Amendment Regulations 2020 __ [23 November 2018] ICASA has published proposed amendments to its official list of regulated standards for technical equipment and electronic communications facilities for comment. Notice [...]
[8 January 2020] The date for responses (completion of the questionnaire and related submissions) for the regulatory impact assessment on the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations has been extended to 18 February 2020 (previously 28 January 2020). Revised timelines for submission of written representations on regulatory impact assessment on the EUSSC Regulations ___ [13 [...]
...the story continues Department of Communications and Digital Technologies __ [17 December 2019] The Department provided Parliament with an overview of international ICT agreements entered into with other countries since 2017. DTPS on International ICT Agreements entered into since 2017 __ [8 September 2019] The DTPS presented on its performance for the 4th quarter of [...]
[4 November 2019] ICASA has published an updated IMT Roadmap, 2019, which replaces the version published on 29 March 2019. International Mobile Telecommunications Roadmap 2019 (November 2019) Notice regarding the Final International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap, 2019 ___ [29 March 2019] The final IMT Roadmap has been published. A reasons document will be published in [...]
[31 October 2019] ICASA has published amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015, amending Regulation 7, paragraph (d), of sub-regulation (3) as follows: "(d) has less than 30% (thirty percent) equity ownership by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDP) or is below a level 4 contributor (B-BBEE status) in terms of the Codes of Good Practice [...]
[6 October 2019] ICASA has published final Consumer Advisory Panel Amendment Regulations 2019 to amend the Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations 2017: Consumer Advisory Panel Amendment Regulations 2019 The amendment serves to remove the requirement that the chair of the Panel must manage the Panel’s budget, given that this is practically a function of ICASA and [...]
[9 September 2019] National Treasury is calling for comment on a discussion document titled: "Economic transformation, inclusive growth, and competitiveness: Towards an Economic Strategy for South Africa". Media Statement - Economic Paper Public Comment Towards an Economic Strategy for SA Comments may be sent to Rita.Coetzee@treasury.gov.za by 15 September 2019. According to the accompanying media [...]
[8 September 2019] ICASA and the Competition Commission have updated the memorandum of understanding which governs how they interact with each other in ensuring effective competition in electronic communications markets. MOU Competition Commission ICASA September 2019 ____
[7 September 2019] The Department of Communications updated Parliament on its progress in implementing its Annual Performance Plan on 3 September 2019. DOC - 2019_20 Quarter 1 Performance Report Presentation __ [7 July 2019] The Department presented its Annual Performance Plan (APP) to the Portfolio Committee for Communications on 3 July 2019. DOC APP Presentation [...]
Source: Spectrum policy released - the good, the bad and the (not so) ugly - TechCentral
[7 June 2019] ICASA has extended the deadline for comments on the draft findings in respect of the Inquiry into Subscription Television Broadcasting Services, previously 21 June to 27 August 2019, after acceding to a request by a stakeholder for additional information underpinning the draft findings. Extension Notice ___ [17 April 2019] ICASA has published [...]
[3 June 2019] The hearing of the review application brought by Amabhungane into the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA) is set to commence on 4 June 2019. A full list of the pleadings filed in the matter is available [...]
[4 May 2019] The Law Reform Commission has announced dates of workshops on its discussion document to be held around the country. There is to be a specific engagement with the ICT industry at the Commission's offices in Centurion on 13 June 2019. Workshops will be held as follows (venues to be confirmed): Centurion (All): [...]
Source: Interview: Dominic Cull on the Films and Publications Amendment Bill - TechCentral
[2 April 2019] ICASA has published the finalised Frequency Migration Plan 2019. Final Radio Frequency Migration Plan 2019 __ [29 October 2018] Submissions made in respect of the Draft Radio Frequency Migration Plan Regulations 2018 can be found below: Cell C COCT (A) COCT (B) Denel eMedia Huawei Intelsat Liquid Telecom SA MTN Multichoice, MNET [...]
Source: ICASA must seize opportunity to be led by strong chairman | ITWeb
[18 March 2019] The Minister of Finance has published amendments to the Electronic Services Regulations 2014 which will come into force on 1 April 2019. Amendments to the Electronic Services Regulations 2014 ___ [16 April 2014] A Treasury press release provides further information: SARS is ready to start registering foreign based supplies of electronic services from [...]
[15 March 2019] Below is a link to ICASA's latest presentation in Parliament on its progress in lowering the cost to communicate: ICASA Presentation on Cost to Communicate 26 February 2019 There are currently four central components to ICASA’s efforts: Reductions to call termination rates: new glide path into effect from 1 October 2018, valid [...]
[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 [...]
[19 December 2018] The Maintenance Act has been amended and section 7 came into effect on the 5th of January 2018. Under section 7 where a maintenance court – upon application made by a maintenance officer – is satisfied that all reasonable efforts to locate the whereabouts of a person have failed it may issue [...]
[12 December 2018] The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has invited stakeholders and interested persons to submit written submissions on the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill 2018. Submissions must be received by no later than 31 January 2019, with public hearings to be scheduled thereafter. Submissions and enquiries [...]
[16 November 2018] The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services, following a number of deliberations on the Bill has recommended that the redrafted Bill be adopted by the House. The Bill has been amended to strengthen the governance and management arrangements of the Institute, and the title amended to more accurately reflect the nature [...]