[22 September 2018] The Bill was formally tabled in Parliament on 19 September 2018 and this is the version which is to be debated. Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B31-2018] The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services has provided an aggressive timeline for its consideration of the Bill: 9 October Briefing on the Electronic Communications [...]
[20 September 2018] ICASA is relocating its head office from Sandton to Centurion between 26 and 29 October 2018. The new contact details will be: Physical Address: 350 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Point Office Park, Eco Park, Centurion, Gauteng Telephone: 012 568 3000 Letter to stakeholders __ [18 August 2018] ICASA has released Guidelines for a Confidentiality [...]
[27 February 2018] ICASA has invited the public to comment on an application filed by Telkom on 16 November 2017 for the amendment of its Universal Service and Access Obligations ("USAOs"). ICASA commenced with the review of USAOs of licensees in 2008/09, with the intention of amending the obligations taking into account the changed circumstances [...]
[30 January 2017] The B-BBEE ICT Sector Council presented on its progress in implementing the ICT Sector Code to the Portfolio Committee for Telecommunications and Postal Services on 24 January 2017. The Council noted that – since it was established in September 2015 – it has: Consulted with the ICT Industry as part of the [...]
[2 February 2015] Telkom and BCG - parent company to BCX - have notified ICASA that they have withdrawn this application on the basis of legal advice received. It is highly likely that this relates to arguments raised in the public hearings into the application brought by Vodacom and Neotel for transfer of control over [...]
[11 July 2014] The President has proclaimed 10 July 2014 as the date on which the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014 came into force. Proclamation Commencement of the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014 ___ [8 June 2014] The framework for SIP 15 and the other strategic integrated projects has been formalised through the [...]
[16 April 2014] National Treasury notes in a press release that the growth and development of electronic services raises many complex issues, and hence that traditional tax (both indirect and direct) and regulatory measures may not be as effective in meeting their objectives as they for traditional goods and services. There is a need to modernise [...]
[27 August 2013] Suppliers and installers of PABXs and other terminating equipment should note that the requirement to apply for and maintain an LMO licence is no longer in force. ICASA has advised in the "Reasons Document in Respect of Type Approval Regulations, 2013 and Labelling Regulations, 2013", that with the repeal of the Enactment [...]
[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 [...]
[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 [...]
[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 [...]
[5 March 2012] ICASA has withdrawn this process until further notice and pending the finalisation of the Minister's policy directions. The following submissions were made to the "ghost deadline" of 29 February 2012: AppChat Broadband Infraco CDG Cell C City of Cape Town DBI ETV GSMA Kawuleza MNET MWEB Orbicom Qualcomm Sentech SKA Telkom Vodacom [...]
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 [...]
[14 November 2011] 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 [...]
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Registration of Class Licences and Unreserved Postal Services ICASA granted the following licences in the annual reporting period. Licences/Certificate Number of Licences Granted Community Television 6 Class Sound Broadcasting, including community, community low power, community Special Event and Commercial [...]
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Consumer affairs and complaints ICASA handles the resolution of consumer complaints in the sphere of communication services. The following table details the complaints received in the period ending 31 March 2011 Quality of Service complaints QUALITY OF SERVICE Description [...]
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Radio Frequency Licensing statistics At 31 March 2011 a total of 46 109 frequency licences for various services were held. Number of licences as at 1 April 2010 New Licenses Cancellations Number of licences as at 31 March 2011 [...]
Legal and the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) Legal and the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) provide support to ICASA in a host of litigation matters, the drafting and review of ICASA regulations and other regulatory documents, as well as providing legal advice and support to the various departments within ICASA. Litigation Matters The following [...]