[8 January 2020] The date for comments on the Discussion Document on Mobile Broadband Services Inquiry has been extended to 27 February 2020 (previously 6 February 2020). Revised Timelines for Submission of Written Representations with Regard to the Discussion Document on Mobile Broadband Services Inquiry ___ [29 November 2019] ICASA has published a discussion document [...]
[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 [...]
[19 December 2019] We have set out below a table reflecting the various deadlines for implementation of the recommendations of the Competition Commission's Final Report on the Data Services Market Inquiry. Implementation of Competition Commission Data Services Market Inquiry recommendations Date: Vodacom and MTN must independently reach agreement with the Commission on a substantial and [...]
[25 November 2019] ICASA is seeking input with respect to the second meeting of the ITU Expert Group on the International Telecommunication Regulations (EG-ITRs) scheduled to take place from 12 – 13 Feb 2020, which will deal with the provision by provision examination of the preamble and articles 1 – 4 of the 2012 ITRs. [...]
[13 November 2019] ICASA has issued an invitation to pre-register for community sound broadcasting service and radio frequency spectrum licences. The process will have two phases: Phase 1: Consideration of the applications for pre-registration of a Community Sound Broadcasting Service licence in line with the provisions of the Community Service Broadcasting Regulations. This process will [...]
[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 [...]
[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 [...]
[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 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 [...]
[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 [...]
[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 [...]