[19 October 2018] Please see below for presentations made at the public hearings: Alliance for Affordable Internet Amandla Mobi DG Murray Trust Media Monitoring Africa Internet Service Providers Association Right2Know Research ICT Africa Broadband Infraco Cell C ECN Kuziva Muzondo MTN Telkom / BRG Vodacom (Letter) Vodacom (Submission) ___ [5 October 2018] The Commission has issued [...]
[20 October 2018] The Select Committee for Communications and Publications has published a list of amendments which it proposes to the Film and Publications Amendment Bill as received from the Portfolio Committee for Communications, Films and Publications Amendment Bill Select Committee Proposed Amendments There are three proposed amendments, two of which are technical while the [...]
[10 October 2018] ellipsis overview - draft policy directions on the WOAN and spectrum october 2018 ___ [8 October 2018] ICASA has formally withdrawn its “Invitation to apply for a radio frequency spectrum licence to provide mobile broadband wireless access services for urban and rural areas using the complimentary bands 700MHz, 800MHz and 2.6GHz” published on [...]
[16 October 2018] ICASA has published their analysis of tariff notifications submitted to it by network operators for the period 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2018. Tariff Report 2018 (Jan - June) ___ [23 March 2018] ICASA has published their analysis of tariff notifications submitted to it by network operators for the period 1 [...]
[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 [...]
[15 September 2018] It is now 100 days since the amendments were meant to come into force. The only reason consumers are still waiting for the relief which these amendments introduce is because ICASA decided to litigate rather than mitigate. ___ [6 September 2018] We are collecting the affidavits and other court process being filed [...]
[4 October 2018] ICASA has published a discussion document soliciting the views of stakeholders as to whether it should play a role in cybersecurity, with specific reference to: Private sector cooperation and industry regulation Capacity building Research and development, and Regulation of cybersecurity standards Inquiry into the Role and Responsibilities of ICASA in Cybersecurity ICASA publishes [...]
[3 October 2018] ICASA has published a new set of regulations and an accompanying reasons document. Number Portability Regulations 2018 Number Portability Regulations 2018 Reasons Document These regulations replace those published on 28 March 2018. ICASA cites an error in regulation 14 which held that the regulations would be repealed on the date they come [...]
[1 October 2018] The Minister of Communications has issued a policy directive on the introduction of Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) in South Africa. Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on the directive for the attention of: Mr. Wonder Wonder Dlangamandla (Chief Director: Technology and Engineering Services) per email dsb@doc.gov.za. The policy directive can [...]
[28 September 2018] ICASA has initiated the process for collecting the data for the 2018 State of the ICT Sector Report, which will cover the period 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018. The timelines involved are as follows: Date Activity 28 September - 30 November 2018 Questionnaire completed by the industry 3 December [...]
[28 September 2018] ICASA has published the finalised Call Termination Regulations, which will come into effect on 1 October 2018. Call Termination Amendment Regulations, 2018 ___ [26 September 2018] ICASA has published a media release confirming that a new call termination rate regime will be in place from 1 October 2018. ICASA to publish final [...]
[25 September 2018] ICASA has published several Council decisions for 2018: 6 March 2018 20 March 2018 27 March 2018 28 March 2018 26 June 2018 ___ [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 [...]
[22 September 2018] The Bill was formally tabled in Parliament on 19 September 2018 and this is the version which is to be debated. Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B31-2018] The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services has provided an aggressive timeline for its consideration of the Bill: 9 October Briefing on the Electronic Communications [...]
[20 September 2018] ICASA is relocating its head office from Sandton to Centurion between 26 and 29 October 2018. The new contact details will be: Physical Address: 350 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Point Office Park, Eco Park, Centurion, Gauteng Telephone: 012 568 3000 Letter to stakeholders __ [18 August 2018] ICASA has released Guidelines for a Confidentiality [...]
[17 September 2018] ZADNA has released a .za Registrar Fee review notice for comments, feedback and/or proposals regarding the review of the wholesale fee that applies to the .za second level domains. ZADNA members, .ZA SLD Registry Operators, .ZA Registrars, Registrants (i.e. holders of domain names), the South African Internet Community and the South African [...]
[4 September 2018] ICASA has given notice that all equipment confiscated by ICASA inspectors in the period 2000 - June 2018, and that cannot be type approved as envisaged by section 35 of the ECA, will be disposed of. Any party who has had equipment confiscated is being provided the opportunity to motivate for why [...]
[2 September 2018] The National Gambling Amendment Bill [B27-2018] was introduced into the Portfolio Committee for Trade and Industry on 21 August 2018. Of interest to Internet service providers and related industries are two new proposed provisions to be inserted into the National Gambling Act: Proposed subsection 8(4) sets out a prohibition on “a person” providing [...]
[17 August 2018] ICASA has finalised its Inquiry into Priority Markets, having identified the following markets (in no particular order of importance) that have been prioritised for potential market reviews: Wholesale fixed access, which includes wholesale supply of asymmetric broadband origination, fixed access services and relevant facilities. Upstream infrastructure markets incorporating national transmission services and [...]
[4 August 2018] ICASA List of class licensees August 2018 ___ [11 September 2017] ICASA List of Class Licensees September 2017 ___ [31 March 2016] ICASA List of Class Licensees March 2016 ___ [23 March 2015] ICASA List of Class Licensees March 2015 ___ [13 March 2014] ICASA have released an updated version of the list of [...]
[3 August 2018] ICASA is inviting applications for the radio frequency spectrum for the purposes of providing a commercial subscription broadcasting service. The successful applicant will be assigned 45% capacity of the third multiplex (MUX3) to provide the service. Invitation to Apply 2018 ICASA Media Release ___ [16 September 2015] ICASA has issued out an Invitation [...]
[2 August 2018] ICASA has released the International Telecommunications Union’s Long Questionnaire on telecommunications statistics for 2017. The Long Questionnaire consists of 14 sections and 69 indicators and covers the period from January 2017 to December 2017. Licensees are required to submit their responses by 24 August 2018 to ictindicators@icasa.org.za. Any queries can be directed to Mr [...]
[3 July 2018] ICASA will be holding public hearings to provide an opportunity for those interested parties who submitted written submissions on the Draft Regulations for Community Broadcasting Services to make oral presentations. The hearings will take place on 23 July 2018 at ICASA's head office, details for which can be found at the following [...]
[4 June 2018] The Department provided an update on the (lack of) progress in implementing the South Africa Connect policy to establish a National Broadband Network on 22 May 2018. Presentation on SA Connect (22 May 2018) __ [20 May 2018] The Minister and Deputy Minister presented their budget speeches to Parliament on 17 May [...]
[3 June 2018] The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill was formally introduced to the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Constitutional Development on 30 May 2018. Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes Hate Speech (B9-2018) Presentation on Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (30 May 2018) __ [20 February 2017] Links to [...]
[28 May 2018] ICASA has published the National Radio Frequency Plan 2018. Media release ___ [10 June 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has confirmed that the updated National Radio Frequency Plan has been approved by Cabinet and the updated document is expected to be gazetted by ICASA shortly. ___ [8 February 2017] [...]
[28 May 2018] The ICT SMME Development Strategy is a sector specific intervention to address challenges facing SMMEs operating in the ICT sector. It sets the policy context and defines the vision for the development of the ICT SMMEs in South Africa up to 2020, and outlines the support mechanisms required to realise this vision. [...]
[23 May 2018] The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services has called on interested organisations and members of the public to submit written comments on the iNeSI Bill. Submissions and queries can be directed to Ms Hajiera Salie per email hsalie@parliament.gov.za and are due by 12 June 2018. iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill B10-2018 ___ [...]
[21 May 2018] We have prepared a short note on the judgement of the High Court in the Western Cape in the matter of Telkom SA Soc Ltd v Kulu NO and Another, delivered on 10 May 2018. This judgement brings further clarity to the requirement for licensees to comply with municipal by-laws before exercising [...]
[21 May 2018] ICASA has requested that all relevant licensees provide progress reports on the migration of machine related services to the 14-digit numbering block specified for this purpose in the interval leading up to the 28 September 2018 deadline. The three reports should adhere to the format as per the Notice below and should [...]
[9 May 2018] Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications - Budget Vote 3: Communications ___ [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 [...]