[25 September 2026] This process has now been finalised through the publication of amendments to national policy on high demand spectrum that effectively abandon the wireless open access network (WOAN) policy intervention first proposed in 2016. Policy Amendment on High Demand Spectrum 2026 The amendments came into force on publication (25 September 2026). The [...]
[9 September 2026] ICASA has published a list of corrections and a replacement notice. Notice of Intention to Conduct a Market Inquiry into impact of OTT services on licensees (corrected) One of the corrections is to remove the step of ICASA publishing a questionnaire at the time of commencing the inquiry (this will apparently be [...]
[7 September 2026] The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is to conduct an inquiry into the affordability of telecommunications services in South Africa. Notice of Intention to Conduct a Market Inquiry into the affordability of telecommunications services in South Africa According to the notice, the purpose of this exercise is to provide an evidence-based, [...]
[21 September 2023] ICASA has published draft amendments to the Numbering Plan Regulations 2016, which amend the prescribed period of inactivity for numbers.
[4 September 2026] The Portfolio Committee has set out its provisional timetable for processing the Bill. Date Activity 21 September 2026 Closing date for written submissions Sep-Oct 2026 Staff analysis phase; verification, thematic analysis, identification of oral presenters Nov-Dec 2026 Adoption of public hearing programme, finalisation of provincial logistics Oct-Dec 2026 Adoption of WITS Link [...]
[31 August 2026] The Competition Commission has published a notice calling for public comments on an application received from the Association for Comms and Technology (ACT) for an exemption from certain provisions of Chapter 2 of the Competition Act. ACT and Members Competition Commission Exemption Application (2026JUL0051) for comment ACT states that its members (Vodacom, [...]
[30 August 2026] The deadline for submissions has been extended to 16h00 on 30 October 2026. Notice of Extension ___ [24 July 2026] ICASA has published feasibility studies relating to the use of a variety of bands for IMT for comment. Feasibility Study 1880 MHz to 1900 MHz Feasibility Study 3600 MHz to 3800 MHz [...]
[4 August 2023] ICASA has published the following final RFSAPs: RFSAP for the frequency band 138 - 144 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 156.8375 - 174 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 335.4 - 380 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 380 - 399.9 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 406.1 - 410 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 410 - 430 MHz RFSAP for the frequency band 440 - 450 MHZ
[15 August 2026] The National Gambling Board (NGB) has issued a request for expressions of interest (EOIs) from service providers with the ability to block illegal online gambling websites. Erratum EOI to block illegal online gambling websites and revised EOI This is in the context of growing recognition of the social harm caused by online [...]
[9 August 2026] ICASA will hold hybrid oral public hearings on the two sets of draft regulations setting out proposed amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015 and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations, 2010, on 19 and 20 August 2026. ICASA to hold public hearings on draft amendments to the radio frequency spectrum [...]
[29 July 2026] A revised version of the Digital Economy Masterplan has been made available on the DCDT's website. Digital Economy Masterplan Version 2 __ [26 January 2025] The DCDT is looking for information on any projects falling within the scope of the Digital Economy Masterplan through a questionnaire circulated to industry. SURVEY TRACKING THE [...]
[14 July 2026] The National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 was published in final form on 24 July 2026. National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 ___ [15 January 2026] ICASA has published a schedule for the public hearings on the Second Draft National Radio Frequency Plan 2025 to be held on 15 and 16 January 2026. Schedule [...]
[21 July 2026] An updated list of holders of class electronic communications network service (CECNS) and class electronic communications service (CECS) licences was published by ICASA on 17 July 2026. List of Class Licensees 2026 The list also contains the particulars of the registration certificates for unreserved postal services issued in terms of section 20 [...]
[11 July 2026] Public hearings on ICASA's Draft Rapid Deployment Regulations 2026 will take place on 13 and 14 July 2026. Those wanting to attend in person can do so at the Protea Hotel Marriot Midrand while online attendance is also possible on Microsoft Teams - details and the schedule of presenters in the links [...]
[29 May 2026] The President has proclaimed 27 May 2026 as the date on which new thresholds for the classification of micro, small and medium enterprises will come into effect. Final Regulations under the National Small Business Act setting classification criteria for MSMEs This is a welcome development as the thresholds have not been amended [...]
[27 May 2026] Final regulations on use of the innovation sub-bands were published on 22 May 2026. Regulations on the Use of Innovation Spectrum, 2026 The Regulations will come into a force on a future date to be determined by ICASA. __ [9 December 2025] The deadline for confirming interest in participating in co-existence studies [...]
[26 May 2026] The communications regulator provided Parliament wtih an update on some key issues on 15 May 2026. Future Overall Agenda on the use of Spectrum and Market Oversight: Enforcement of Infrastructure Sharing, Universal Service Compliance and Social Obligations __ [24 April 2026] ICASA presented its Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the period [...]
[16 May 2026] Following the conclusion of its inquiry into the regulatory framework for the licensing of satellite services, ICASA has published proposed amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations 2010. Draft Amendment of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations 2010 The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on 29 June 2026. These should [...]
[16 May 2026] Following the conclusion of its inquiry into the regulatory framework for the licensing of satellite services, ICASA has published proposed amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015. Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulations 2026 The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on 29 June 2026. These should be marked for the [...]
[13 May 2026] ICASA has communicated through a media release that it has written to the Minister to inform him that, after due consideration of the terms of the December 2025 policy direction, it cannot proceed to align its regulations with the ICT Sector Code until such time as appropriate and necessary amendments have been [...]
[13 May 2026] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies delivered the Budget Vote Speech for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 on 12 May 2026. Budget Vote Speech 12 May 2026 ___ [27 April 2026] The DCDT's Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the [...]
[27 April 2026] The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has published final amendments to the Consumer Protection Act Regulations, intended to establish an opt-out registry and provide some relief from the deluge of phone spam. Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations 2026 The Amendment Regulations came into force on publication on 15 April 2026. ___ [...]
[27 April 2026] Revised five-year strategic plans for the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) have been published. USAASA Strategic Plan 2026-30 USAF Strategic Plan 2026-30 ___ [23 February 2026] It's on again. The Draft USAF Manual has been republished for comment. Draft USAF [...]
[26 April 2026] ICASA has made copies of written submissions available on its website. Amatole Amazon Leo Cell C ESKOM Eutelsat Global Satellite Operators' Association (GSOA) Globalstar Liquid Telecommunications ISPA Makhaga Inc. Maziv MTN Mzansisat PLAN-S PBICT rain Sateliot SENTECH South African Broadband Network Alliance (SABNA) South African Communications Forum SpaceX Telkom Trudon Investments Vodacom [...]
2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2017 | 2015 | [31 March 2026] ICASA has published its annual notice requiring ECS and ECNS licensees to submit their annual forecast of licence fees and USAF contributions (i.e. what they forecast they will pay to ICASA in respect of their 2024/25 financial year). ICASA notice regarding [...]
[20 March 2026] ICASA has published a notice updating the fees it charges for services relating to type approval of equipment. Notice regarding increase of administrative fees in relation to type approval Fees will be increased by 3.2% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective 1 April 2026. ___ [10 September 2023] ICASA [...]
[20 March 2026] ICASA has published notice of annual CPI-related increases (3.2%) in respect of the various licensing and type approval services which it offers, effective 1 April 2026. Notice regarding increase of administrative fees in relation to service licences March 2026 Notice regarding increase of administrative fees in relation to spectrum licences March 2026 [...]
[27 February 2026] The DCDT indicated in Parliament on 24 February 2026 that a final National Policy on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services will be gazetted before the end of 31 March 2026. It has been a long road.... Event Date Calendar (work) days elapsed Notes First draft published for public comment 9 October 2020 [...]
[24 February 2026] The Department of Communications presented in Parliament on the outcomes of the Policy Colloquium on 24 February 2026. Presentation to the Portfolio Committee for Communications and Digital Technologies on the outcomes of the Policy Colloquium ___ [23 December 2025] The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies hosted industry, government and civil society [...]
[19 February 2026] ICASA has published information about the renewal of individual electronic communications network service (IECNS) and individual electronic communications services (IECS) licences. ICASA Notice on Renewal of IECNS and IECS Licences According to the notice: Renewal applications must be lodged no earlier than twelve (12) months and no later than six (6) [...]