[19 April 2018] ICASA is launching an inquiry into digital sound broadcasting ("DSB") services in South Africa. The inquiry will examine the prospects of implementing such services, with particular focus on the manner in which this implementation could improve spectrum efficiency and management. Interested parties are invited to provide submissions on the Discussion Document on [...]
[19 April 2018] ICASA Presentation: 2018/2019 Annual Report ___ [31 October 2017] ICASA 2016/2017 Annual Report ___ [19 October 2017] ICASA Presentation Annual Report 2016/17 ___ ICASA has made available their Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011. The Report details ICASA's efforts and progress over the last year in the South African [...]
[19 April 2018] Film and Publication Board Presentation: 2018/2019 Annual Performance Plan ___ [2 March 2018] Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the public hearings on the Films and Publications Amendment Bill B37 - 2015 20 February 2018 ___ [28 February 2018] We have clarified that the Bill lapsed as per Rule 333 [...]
[16 April 2018] The .za Domain Name Authority (.ZADNA) is requesting Expressions of Interest for the provision of registry services for .ZA second level registrations. This process will run in parallel to the discussion document and is intended to assist .ZADNA in understanding suitable SLR registry business model and registry system options. Expressions of Interest in [...]
[8 April 2018] We have prepared a short note on the judgement of High Court in the Western Cape in the matter of Dark Fibre Africa v the City of Cape Town (14 December 2017) and its implications for the rights of electronic communications network service licensees to enter onto land and deploy networks without the consent [...]
[8 April 2018] The Select Committee on Communications and Public Enterprises (National Council of Provinces) hosted a stakeholder briefing on reducing the cost to communicate on 27 March 2018. Presentations were received from ICASA, Telkom, MTN and Cell C. ICASA Telkom MTN Cell C ___ [16 August 2017] ICASA presented on its cost to communicate program [...]
[4 April 2018] ICASA has released the International Telecommunications Union’s Short Questionnaire on telecommunications statistics for 2017. The Short Questionnaire consists of 14 indicators and covers the period from January 2017 to December 2017. Licensees are required to submit their responses by 10 April 2018 to ictindicators@icasa.org.za. 2017 ITU Short Questionnaire ___ [21 August 2017] ICASA has [...]
[4 April 2018] ICASA will be holding public hearings in respect of the the Discussion Document on the Inquiry into Subscription Television Broadcasting Services on 7 to 11 May 2018 at ICASA's offices in Sandton. Those stakeholders who provided written submissions have the opportunity to make oral presentations. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Violet [...]
[28 March 2018] ICASA has finalised its review of the existing regulations and published a new set of regulations governing number portability in South Africa. Number Portability Regulations 2018 Note that these regulations will only to come into force on a future date - ICASA will publish a further notice providing 60 days notice of [...]
[28 March 2018] ICASA has published the third annual State of the ICT Sector Report, which covers the 12-month period ending 30 September 2017 and can be viewed at the link below: ICASA Report on State of SA ICT Sector 2018 The report concludes with the following: The following highlights are worth noting: The high [...]
[26 March 2018] We have taken 93 pages of dense regulatory prose and distilled it into seven mostly-understandable pages... Ellipsis Overview of the Discussion Document on Priority Markets 27 March 2018 __ [17 February 2018] The second phase of ICASA's process to identify priority markets for pro-competitive intervention has commenced with the publication of a [...]
[24 March 2018] The Bill is still under consideration by the Portfolio Committee.... Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill [28 Feb 2018] showing proposed amendments __ [18 November 2017] The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has been presenting its responses to submissions received on the Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill to the Portfolio Committee. This includes a [...]
[23 March 2018] ICASA have published the following final radio frequency spectrum assignment plans: Radio frequency spectrum assignment plan for frequency band 138MHz to 143.6 MHZ Radio frequency spectrum assignment plan for frequency band 150.5 to 153 MHz Radio frequency spectrum assignment plan for frequency band 380 to 400 MHz Radio frequency spectrum assignment plan [...]
[23 March 2018] ICASA has published final regulations relating to the use of television white spaces in South Africa. Regulations on Use of TVWS 23 March 2018 The regulations will come into force on a future date to be proclaimed. This is to allow ICASA to proceed with implementing the geolocation database infrastructure required. ___ [...]
[23 March 2018] ICASA has given notice of the annual increase to be implemented in respect of radio frequency spectrum licence fees. The new fees will effective from 1 April 2018 and will increase by 5.3% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI). Notice Old fee (ZAR) New fee (ZAR) Unit Price per [...]
[23 March 2018] ICASA has published their analysis of tariff notifications submitted to it by network operators for the period 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2017. Tariff Report 2017 (July - December) ___ [10 October 2017] ICASA has published a report on the analysis of tariff notifications submitted to it by network operators for [...]
[20 March 2018] ICASA has postponed the public hearings with an indication that a revised date will be provided in due course. ___ [15 March 2018] ICASA intends to hold public hearings in respect of the discussion document, and has extended an invitation to those stakeholders who had previously submitted comments to make oral representations. [...]
[16 March 2018] Below are links to presentations made by stakeholders at the Consultative Workshop held on 6 & 7 March 2018: Alliance for Affordable Internet (presentation) Black Business Council (presentation) Cell C (presentation) Convergence Partners (presentation) Free Market Foundation (presentation) FTTX Council (presentation) Hekima Advisory (presentation) ICT SMME Chamber (presentation) Independent Communications Authority of [...]
[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 [...]
[12 March 2018] After somewhat of a hiatus, ICASA has begun publishing records of Council decisions once again: May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 ___ [23 September 2017] The Minister of Communications has formalised the new appointment of two new ICASA councillors: Advocate Dimakatso Qocha, for a period of four (4) [...]
[1 March 2018] The Consumer Advisory Panel will be (re)launched at the capital Moloko Hotel on 9 March, with registration commencing at 09h00. __ [28 June 2017] ICASA has published a Reasons Document on the Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations which can be viewed at the following link: Consumer Advisory Panel Regulations 2017 - Reasons Document [...]
[26 February 2018] ICASA has released the schedule of the public hearings to be held on 1 and 2 March 2018: Schedule - EUSSC Public Hearings ___ [20 February 2018] ICASA intends to hold public hearings in respect of the submissions received in response to the second round of draft Regulations on 1 and 2 [...]
[17 April 2018] Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Communications: Department of Communications Strategic Plan 2018.19 - 2020.21 ___ [28 February 2018] The Estimate of National Expenditure for the Department for the period 2018/19 - 2020/21 reveals that the Department will continue to play a leading role in trying to sort out digital migration. Vote [...]
[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 [...]
[21 February 2018] Treasury has published the Estimate of National Expenditure (ENE) for the Department, which sets out it’s the budget and spending plans for the period 2018/2019 to 2020/1. Government spending is detailed in a three-year medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), which is updated annually through the publication of an ENE. Vote 32 Telecommunications and [...]
[14 February 2018] Two further documents have been published with a view towards finalising the latest review of the regulatory framework for call termination. ICASA briefing note on asymmetry ICASA briefing note on November 2017 submissions from operators The note on asymmetry proposes that licensee's with less than a 20% share in the market for [...]
We will be closed for the week of 25 December 2017, returning 8 January 2018. In the event of an emergency, please contact us at: ellipsis@ellipsis.co.za / 021 701 2512. Have a peaceful and safe holiday season.
[20 December 2017] The deadline for submissions on the Draft Code for Persons with Disabilities has been extended to 16h00 on 17 January 2018. Extension Code for Persons with Disabilities Draft Regulations ___ [21 November 2017] ICASA has published a further draft of the Code for Persons with Disabilities after taking into consideration comments and [...]
[6 December 2017] The Minister for Economic Development has published draft amendments to the Competition Act for public comment. Draft Competition Amendment Bill 2017 Press release - Draft Competition Amendment Bill 2017 Comments are due by 31 January 2018. The proposed amendments are interesting in that they are intended to provide the competition authorities with [...]
[24 November 2017] ICASA has published a notice in the Government Gazette declaring that the individual service licences (IECS and IECNS) issued to Enverge Communications (Pty) Ltd, Powerline Communications (Pty) Ltd, Pluto Internet (Pty) Ltd and OpenVoice Service Providers (Pty) Ltd, effective 24 November 2017. This flows from the failure of the licensees to make [...]