[16 March 2014] The University of the Witwatersrand, with the support and sponsorship of Microsoft SA, is hosting a national Colloquium on Cybersecurity in the Public Sector. This is intended to be a national discussion where pertinent government decision-makers, academics from Wits and other universities, and a number of prominent private sector participants will deliberate on the [...]
[5 March 2014] The National Broadband Council (NBC) - intended to advise the Minister of Communications on the implementation of the South Africa Connect National Broadband Policy and Strategy, was launched on 4 March 2014. The following have been appointed to sit on the NBC: Dr. Sibusiso Sibisi (chairperson) Prof. Alison Gillwald (deputy chairperson) Prof. [...]
[3 March 2014] The following are the outcomes - as we understand them - of the informal workshop held at ICASA on the 18th February: There is scope for a trial of LLU to take place at a currently underutilised rural Telkom exchange. This will be arranged and a working group is to be established [...]
[24 February 2014] Reminder that radio frequency spectrum renewal applications must be submitted by the end of February. ___ [27 January 2014] ICASA has extended the deadline for submission of renewal applications to 28 February 2014. ____ [17 January 2014] It is that time of the year again and holders of radio frequency spectrum licences [...]
[15 February 2014] During a recent presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Communications, the Department of Communications set out the below implementation timetable. This gives a clear indication of the nature of forthcoming policy directions to ICASA. [su_table] Interventions Time-lines Full implementation of Broadband Policy 2014-2017 Policy directive on Price Transparency July 2014 Consideration for [...]
[January 2014] Ellipsis has a number of buyers looking for individual ECS and/or individual ECNS licences. If you hold such licences but no longer require them please contact sam@ellipsis.co.za and we will put you in touch with people looking to purchase them.
[15 January 2014] The workshop will be held at ICASA on Friday 24 January 2014. ___ [12 January 2014] In a letter to interested parties ICASA noted that it had received a number of Interconnection Agreements from licensees which sought to introduce a termination rate for “Commercial Short Messages” and that this is a significant [...]
[10 November 2013] The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published a Consultative Document on the Assessment of Access Gaps in the Country and called for public input. USAASA states that it is seeking to align the closing of access gaps in SA by aligning to broader national government priorities as [...]
[13 October 2013] ICASA has issued out a notice in the Government Gazette in an attempt to clarify the ongoing confusion around the extent to which a third party may exercise the rights and undertake the obligations afforded to a licensee. The full text of the notice is set out below. We have reservations about [...]
[27 August 2013] ICASA has finalised this process with the publication of a new set of regulations, which came into force on 26 August 2013. Labelling Regulations, 2013 [22 April 2013] As an accompaniment to the process to develop new Type Approval Regulations ICASA is also revising the regulations which govern the labeling of [...]
[21 August 2013] ICASA have released a questionnaire designed to collect information from licensees for the purpos developing an up-to-date set of "Status of the Sector" reports preparing for upcoming market reviews into the effectiveness of competition in the ICT sector meeting SA's reporting obligations to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Licensees are required to [...]
[6 August 2013] ICASA has issued a warning to wireless internet service providers to ensure that they do not illegally use the 4 GHz band which is used by the South Africa Air Force. This is pursuant to complaints received "Anyone found to be in possession or operating such equipment outside the licence free band [...]
[17 July 2013] ICASA issued a media release today which (a) extends the deadline for submission of responses to the Call Termination Market Review questionnaire & (b) effects some amendments to the questionnaire. The new deadline for responses to the Call Termination questionnaire is 2 August 2013. The questionnaire has been amended as follows: Information [...]
[17 July 2013] The extension of the deadline to 29 July 2013 is now official as per an ICASA media release issued this morning. Media Release on revised timelines and amended questionnaire for the Call Termination Market Review (.doc) ___ [15 July 2013] ICASA have provided us with a verbal indication that the deadline for responses [...]
[29 June 2013] Ellipsis has prepared an advisory on the current regulatory position pertaining to the provision of IPTV and Video on Demand (VOD) services in South Africa, reflecting the latest position as set out in the Final Report in ICASA’s Review of the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework towards a Digitally Converged Environment (published on 25 June 2013). [...]
[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 [...]
[21 May 2013] ICASA has published a notice in the Government Gazette reminding all holders of service licences issued under the Electronic Communications Act that they are required to submit audited annual financial statements or financial statements signed by their accounting officer by no later than 6 months after their financial year end. So, for [...]
[29 April 2013] We have prepared a summary / overview of the actual principles / objectives proposed and the questions raised. Overview of Proposed Principles in the ICT Policy Review Framework Paper April 2013 ___ [25 April 2013] In keeping with its Outline for the ICT Policy Review Process, the Minister of Communications has published a [...]
[13 April 2013] It is easy to get a bit confused about what exactly is happening with SA electronic communications policy, so the Department of Communications has published an outline of the ICT Policy Review Process to shed some light on the matter. Outline of the ICT Policy Review Process April 2013 In April 2012, [...]
ICASA Update to the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2 April 2013 See further resources on digital migration in South Africa.
[28 March 2013] Final regulations published. ___ [16 January 2013] Updated schedule for the public hearings to be held 17th and 18th January 2013 ___ [7 January 2013] We have obtained copies of the various submissions made by industry in response to the draft general licence fees regulations: Cell C e.tv ISPA Internet Solutions Liquid [...]
ICASA have afforded spectrum licensees with an opportunity to ensure that the address and contact details on their licences are up to date. It is an existing obligation on licensees to notify ICASA of any changes in this information within 14 days of the change being effected, so ICASA is essentially saying that it will [...]
[6 January 2013]ICASA has informed us that it is currently in the process of developing a new system for submitting interconnection and facilities leasing agreements and filing interconnection and facilities leasing disputes with the Authority. The new system will feature a web-based application form. According to ICASA, the business goal of the system is "to [...]
[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 [...]
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 [...]
[Update 19 October 2012]: ICASA has finally completed its review process and new regulations and a reasons document were published on 2 October 2012 (effective on publication). Numbering Plan Regulations 2012 Numbering Plan Regulations 2012 Reasons Document ICASA published draft Numbering Plan Regulations in June 2010, marking the formal commencement of the first review of [...]
These regulations - published under section 88(2) of the ECA on 10 September 2012 (GG 35675) - define the term “Underserviced area” and sets out a list of district/local/ metropolitan municipalities together with percentages for Internet / Computer / Telephone/ Cellphone penetration based on the Stats SA 2007 Household Survey. Presumably these figures will be used [...]
[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 [...]
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) applies to ISPs, and if an ISP’s contracts or its processes do not comply with the CPA’s rather onerous provisions, this can have painful consequences. Annoyingly, the CPA will apply to an ISP’s smaller clients, but most of it will not apply to corporate clients. If an ISP wishes to [...]
[14 November 2014] ICT Policy Discussion Document published [6 June 2012]: Nominations have opened for persons to sit on an ICT Policy Review Panel which will provide advice to the Minster. A copy of the invitation can be found here. The terms of reference of the Panel are available here. South Africa has commenced another [...]