[7 October 2019] The City of Tshwane has published a draft micro-trenching policy for public comment. CoT Draft Micro-trenching policy V1.3 (2) Comments should be sent by email to deonvi@tshwane.gov.za by no later than 16h00 on 15 October 2019. This is the first instance we are aware of where a local government is indicating micro-trenching [...]
[4 October 2019] The President has signed the Films and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019 into law, although it will only come into force on a future date to be proclaimed in the Government Gazette. Films and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019 ___ [4 July 2019] The Film and Publications Board (FPB) presented [...]
[30 July 2019] ICASA has lifted the moratorium in respect of applications for Class Community Sound Broadcasting Service Licences and applications for Radio Frequency Spectrum for purposes of providing a community broadcasting service. ICASA will publish an invitation for prospective applicants to submit a pre-registration notice and list of available frequencies in each district and [...]
[23 July 2019] ICASA has published draft amendments to Annexure B of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 for public comment: Draft Amended Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulations, 2019 Media release: ICASA begins a process to review Annexure B of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations of 2015 The deadline for comments is 4 September 2019 [...]
[17 July 2019] ICASA has released the list of RF Type Approved Equipment for Q1 2019. RF Type Approved Equipment, Q1 2019 ___ [12 April 2019] ICASA has released the list of RF Type Approved Equipment for 2018: RF Type Approved Equipment, 2018 ___ [19 March 2019] ICASA has scheduled public hearings in respect of [...]
[9 May 2019] The Minister of Trade and Industry has published a notice designating and granting “final approval for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Facilitator Status to the Government of South Africa represented by the Office of the Presidency for the full shares of 40.50% held in Telkom South Africa State Owned Company” for a period [...]
[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): [...]
[2 May 2019] We have obtained the full 288-page report: Data Services Inquiry Provisional Report ___ [27 April 2019] ICASA has published a media release welcoming the provisional findings and recommendations by the Competition Commission following the data services market inquiry: ICASA Media Release ___ [24 April 2019] The Competition Commission has released a provisional [...]
[2 April 2019] ICASA has given notice of the annual increase to be implemented in respect of radio frequency spectrum licence fees. The new fees will be effective from 1 April 2019 and will increase by 4.7% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI). Notice, 2019 Old fee (ZAR) New fee (ZAR) Unit [...]
[29 March 2019] The final IMT Roadmap has been published. A reasons document will be published in due course. International Mobile Telecommunications Roadmap 2019 __ [6 February 2019] Set out below are links to all submissions made in response to the publication of the Draft IMT Roadmap: Blind SA Cell C COCT ESOA GSMA Huawei [...]
[14 March 2019] ICASA has granted an extension for the submission of written representations on the Notice, questionnaire and/or requests for information to 29 March 2019 (previously 11 March 2019). Revised timelines for submission of information in regard to mobile broadband services inquiry ___ [09 January 2019] ICASA has released an updated response to questions [...]
[3 March 2019] ICASA has published draft amendments to the Numbering Plan Regulations 2016 intended to harmonise use of the short code 116 for child helpline services. Draft Numbering Plan Amendment Regulations 2018: Short Code 116 for child helpline services Written submissions are due by 12 April 2019 and can be sent to tkhomo@icasa.org.za. This [...]
[3 March 2019] ICASA has delayed the implementation date for certain regulations relating to an option to opt-out of notification for depletion of voice, SMS and data services and the out-of-bundle usage requirements as per the First EUSSC Amendment Regulations 2019. This is to allow licensees sufficient time to configure their systems and processes, with [...]
[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 [...]
[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 [...]
[9 October 2018] ICASA has issued a tender invitation to higher learning and research institutions to submit proposals on the development, implementation, hosting and management of the Reference Geo-Location Spectrum Database (R-GLSD) at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa to enable the implementation of the Television White Spaces Regulations. Closing date is 23 October [...]
[16 March 2018] ICASA has updated the register of links in the self-regulated portion of the E Band. E-Band self-coordinated-register-February 2018 ___ [5 September 2017] ICASA has published a first register of links in the self-regulated portion of the E Band. E-Band self-coordinated-register-July 2017 ___ [29 April 2017] ICASA has published useful information on use [...]
[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 [...]
[15 November 2017] The deadline for submissions on the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill has been extended to 24 November 2017. __ [5 November 2017] The Portfolio Committee on Police will undertake a clause-by-clause vote on the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill [B22-2017] on 30 November 2017 and intends to vote on its adoption on 1 December 2017. [...]
[11 November 2017] The finalised National e-Strategy Digital Society South Africa has been published in the Government Gazette: National e-Strategy Digital Society South Africa __ [10 April 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published for comment a draft National e-Strategy under section 5{3) of the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act of 2002. [...]
[10 November 2017] The finalised National e-Government Strategy and Roadmap has been published in the Government Gazette: National e-Government Strategy and Roadmap __ [11 April 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published for comment a draft National e-Government Strategy under section 5(3) of the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act of 2002. Draft [...]
[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 [...]
[18 July 2016] The Minister of Communications has published a call for nominations for members of an "Evaluation Panel for the ICASA Council" to be established under the provisions of the ICASA Act dealing with performance monitoring. Nominations invited: Evaluation panel for ICASA Council The Panel is to consist of 7 members - one of [...]
See further https://www.ellipsis.co.za/progress-in-assignments-in-700800-mhz-and-2-6-ghz/ __ [6 May 2015] ICASA have published Gazettes identifying and rectifying errors in the spectrum assignment plans for IMT bands published last month. These have been inserted in the previous post next to the document they relate to. ___ [2 April 2015] ICASA has published final radio frequency spectrum assignment plans (RFSAPs) [...]
[5 May 2015] The ICT Panel of Experts has handed over its final report to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr Siyabonga Cwele. The Minister has indicated that he anticipates that the review process will be finalised this year. Executive Summary National Integrated ICT Policy Review Report March 2015 National Integrated ICT Policy [...]
[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 [...]
[1 December 2014] The deadline for submissions has been extended to 16 January 2015. Notice on DoC website ___ [13 November 2014] The Department of Communications has called for written proposals on a new review of existing broadcasting policy. Call for Written Proposals on Broadcasting Policy Review November 2014 Minister's Statement on the Broadcasting Policy [...]
[24 November 2014] The deadline for responses to the ITA has been extended to 31 March 2015. ___ [3 September 2014] ICASA issued an Invitation to Apply for Individual Commercial Free To Air Television Broadcasting Service Licences under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act on 28 August 2014. Invitation To Apply for Free to Air Television Broadcasting [...]
[26 September 2014] ICASA has published draft Inquiry Prescribed Form Regulations for comment. Catchy title aside, the intention of the draft regulations is simply to prescribe the form which ICASA can use if it requires any person to provide information or to appear before it during the conduct of an inquiry under section 4B of [...]
[14 April 2014] ICASA has issued out a notice - dated 11 April 2014 - which appears to be a substantial attempt to clean up its database of licensees. The notice contains a number of lists of licensees: List A: licensees who did not respond to various information requests made by ICASA between September 2012 [...]