[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 [...]
[10 November 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published further, extensive amendments to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations. ECTA Regulations - Alternative Dispute Resolution - Amendment __ [12 December 2015] This proposed amendment has now been effected. Amendment of Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations Regulation 2 of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations issued [...]
[5 November 2017] The DTPS presented on the cost to communicate before the Telecommunications and Postal Services Portfolio Committee on 31 December 2017. A presentation on data pricing trends was also made by Research ICT Africa. DTPS presentation on Cost to Communicate 31 October 2017 Research ICT Africa presentation on Cost to Communicate 31 October 2017 [...]
[17 November 2017] The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill - a major instrument through which the White Paper is to be implemented was published for public comment on 17 November 2017. Updates __ [21 October 2017] The Minister and the Department presented their plans to introduce legislation into Parliament to further the implementation of aspects of the ICT [...]
[14 July 2017] The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published a concept document which provides an overview of the South Africa Internet for All programme. The initiative sees government partner with the World Economic Forum and their global Internet for All project, which aims to accelerate access to the 4 billion people globally [...]
Source: Icasa 'dithering' on mobile data prices - TechCentral
[20 April 2017] ICASA has entered into a technical agreement with the communications regulatory authority of Mozambique. The agreement is aimed at strengthening relations with neighbouring countries to ensure an interference-free provision of communications services as well as collaboration between regulators, and will look to facilitate: Co-operation on the co-ordination, control and management of radio [...]
[11 April 2017] We have obtained a copy of the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal, which confirms that the appeal lodged by Neotel was dismissed on a legal technicality. Judgment - Neotel (Pty) Ltd v Telkom SOC others __ [20 March 2017] The Supreme Court of Appeal has declined Neotel's appeal. The finding [...]
[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 [...]
[26 October 2016] ICASA has published a Notice which effectively deletes regulation 2(1A), reversing the amendment which MTN had taken issue with. Notice repealing Regulation 2(1A) Presumably this represents the end of the MTN application. ___ [25 September 2016] MTN has lodged an application against ICASA seeking the review of an amendment effected to the [...]
[19 October 2016] ICASA have indicated that any applications for numbering submitted in the incorrect format will be rejected; the updated application form can be downloaded at the link below. Ellipsis is able to assist with this process, please contact Sumaiyah Makda (Sam) for further information. Application form ___ [23 October 2014] The documents below are no [...]
[7 October 2016] ICASA have published their quarterly Quality of Service reports pertaining to the quality of voice services offered by Cell C, MTN, Telkom and Vodacom in the Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal Provinces. ICASA media release QOS report - Kwazulu Natal QOS report - Limpopo Earlier QOS reports can be found at the following [...]
[21 September 2016] We have received the following communication from ICASA regarding licence-exempt resellers of electronic communications services: “In line with compliance with the licensing framework and the related regulations, all entities that operate as resellers are required to register with the Authority prior to embarking on the activity. List of currently registered resellers in [...]
[18 August 2016] ICASA has issued out a notice reminding providers of wireless networks of the need to stay within the defined licence-exempt bands. ICASA further refers to an upcoming crackdown on use of non-licence-exempt bands without the appropriate spectrum licence: from our information it looks like a new monitoring network will be launched shortly [...]
[12 August 2016] One of the annexures in the court papers filed by the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services against ICASA as regards the Invitation to Apply published by the latter, is the Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the Minister of Communications and the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services setting out the basis [...]
[1 August 2016] We have updated our overview of the Annual Licence Fee and USAF contribution payments, both of which are due within six months of a licensee’s financial year-end. Those licensees with a financial year-end of 28 February are required to submit the relevant documentation and payment by 31 August. The overview can be [...]
[30 July 2016] Below is a set of links to ICT, Broadband and related policies adopted or in the process of being adopted by African governments. This is not a complete list (particularly as regards Francophone Africa) and we will work on building it up. Algeria Angola Botswana Cameroon Egypt (ICT Policy) Egypt (Broadband Policy) Ethiopia [...]
[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 [...]
It seems like we hear news of fibre developments every other week, as the likes of MTN, Vodacom, Vumatel and Telkom announce suburbs and projects. There’s no denying that many projects take place in affluent suburbs, but even living in a well-off suburb isn’t a guarantee of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity. What can be done to ensure that fibre [...]
[18 May 2016] The South African Civil Aviation Authority (“SACAA”) maintain a database of obstacles in proximity to runways, and have a set of guidelines and regulations governing this area. Should a service provider need to erect such a structure there is a relevant application form for the approval of obstacles, which can be completed [...]
[31 March 2016] Moving with laudable speed, ICASA has published a Findings Document on the Regulatory Framework on Electronic Communications Infrastructure: Findings Document Regulatory Framework on Electronic Communications Infrastructure The regulator has concluded that infrastructure sharing is already accommodated under the existing Facilities Leasing Regulations 2010, with greater attention to be paid to the enforcement of [...]
[16 March 2016] We have obtained a copy of the final report of the Portfolio Committee for Telecommunications and Postal Services on the discussion of possible regulation of OTTs hosted by the Committee on 26 January 2016. 20160308 PCTPS Final Report on OTTs It is noteworthy that the report is more in the form of [...]
[2 February 2016] The Women's Legal Centre has published A Simplified Guide to the Protection from Harassment Act - if you are experiencing what is or what you think is harassment, this is an excellent place to start. ___ [30 May 2013] The Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011 ("the PFHA") came into force on [...]
[7 December 2015] As introduced into Parliament by the Minister of Communications on 4 December 2015: Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2015 [B39-2015] ___ [15 November 2015] The Department of Communications has published a notice in the Gazette revealing its intention to introduce a Bill during November to amend the Broadcasting Act of 1999. Explanatory Summary Broadcasting Amendment [...]
[17 November 2015] ICASA has published a notice in various newspapers calling on licensees with outstanding annual radio frequency spectrum licence fees to attend to payment as soon as possible. Newspaper Notice Spectrum Debtors 2 October 2015 There are 21 049 entries in the spreadsheet...
[18 October 2015] We have a copy of what we are informed is the final version of the Children’s Empowerment & Information Communication Technology (ICT) Strategy referred to below. Final Draft Children Strategy July 2014 The word draft appears in the title and is watermarked in the document so we will try and find a more [...]
[30 September 2015] Notice has been given of public hearings to be held regarding the Position Paper and Draft Regulations on South African Local Content: Television and Radio (see lower on for links). The hearings are scheduled for 1 and 2 October 2015. Notice of Public Hearings - Dates and Agenda ICASA Is Convening Public [...]
[23 September 2015] ICASA has published a new form to be used to obtain information when it is conducting an inquiry under section 4B of the ICASA Act. Inquiry Prescribed Form Regulations 2015 Section 4C of the same Act sets out the powers ICASA has to "require from any person such particulars and information as [...]
A draft bill has explicitly made phishing and ID theft crimes for the first time, but some fear the legislation could harm free speech. Source: South Africa gets first look at cybercrime bill that comes with 25-year jail terms | ZDNet