inquiry into the affordability of telecommunications services in south africa

2026-10-03T16:21:33+02:00October 3rd, 2026|cost to communicate, ICASA, News, snippets|

[3 October 2026] The notice initiating this process has been withdrawn. Notice of Withdrawal - Inquiry into Affordability No explanation was provided but it seems likely that ICASA will try again later in the year. __ [7 September 2026] The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is to conduct an inquiry into the affordability [...]

inquiry into the impact of over-the-top (OTT) services on licensees

2026-10-03T16:12:20+02:00October 3rd, 2026|broadcasting / DTT, content regulation, ICASA, snippets|

[2 October 2026] The notice initiating this process has been withdrawn. Notice of Withdrawal - Inquiry into Impact of OTTs No explanation was provided but it seems likely that ICASA will try again later in the year. __ [9 September 2026] ICASA has published a list of corrections and a replacement notice. Notice of Intention [...]

determinations with regard to universal access and universal service

2026-10-03T17:41:40+02:00October 2nd, 2026|policy, snippets, universal Access|

[1 October 2026] The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published a Discussion Document on Categories of Needy Persons and Subsidy Applications and Payment Modalities for public comment: Invitation to submit comments on the Discussion Document on Categories of Needy Persons and Subsidy Application and Payment Modalities 1 October 2026 Written [...]

Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN)

2026-10-04T22:04:13+02:00September 25th, 2026|frequency, resources, snippets|

[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 Explanatory Note on Amendment to High-Demand Spectrum Policy The amendments came [...]

Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2026

2026-09-04T11:55:04+02:00September 4th, 2026|competition, cost to communicate, electronic communications infrastructure, ICASA, legislation, News, snippets|

[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 [...]

competition in the telecommunications market

2026-09-02T19:16:39+02:00August 31st, 2026|competition, Open for comment, snippets|

[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, [...]

ICASA Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs)

2026-08-30T21:46:31+02:00August 30th, 2026|access, frequency, ICASA, snippets|

[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

National Gambling Act & ISPs

2026-08-16T21:17:38+02:00August 15th, 2026|miscellaneous, snippets|

[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 [...]

Digital Economy Masterplan for South Africa

2026-07-29T19:20:24+02:00July 29th, 2026|policy, snippets|

[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 [...]

national radio frequency plan

2026-07-24T18:29:56+02:00July 24th, 2026|frequency, snippets|

[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 [...]

list of individual and class licence holders

2026-07-21T11:11:43+02:00July 21st, 2026|licensing, snippets|

[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 [...]

artificial intelligence policy and regulation in South Africa

2026-06-19T11:54:18+02:00June 19th, 2026|4IR, artificial intelligence, News, snippets|

[19 June 2026] The Draft South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 was officially withdrawn on 12 June 2026. Withdrawal of Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026 The withdrawal is due to the Draft Policy containing references to non-existent sources, indicating that AI was used in its generation without due oversight and checking. A lesson [...]

SMME development in the ICT sector

2026-05-29T12:21:14+02:00May 28th, 2026|miscellaneous, policy, snippets|

[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 [...]

dynamic spectrum management in South Africa

2026-05-29T20:36:04+02:00May 27th, 2026|frequency, snippets, Uncategorized|

[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 [...]

ICASA

2026-05-29T18:29:33+02:00May 26th, 2026|competition, Consumer Protection, frequency, ICASA, licensing, News, snippets|

[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 [...]

radio frequency spectrum licence fees

2026-05-16T20:17:51+02:00May 16th, 2026|frequency, Open for comment, snippets|

[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 [...]

radio frequency spectrum regulations 2015

2026-05-16T18:06:13+02:00May 16th, 2026|frequency, Open for comment, snippets|

[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 [...]

policy direction to ICASA on broad-based black economic empowerment

2026-05-13T13:39:36+02:00May 13th, 2026|licensing, News, Open for comment, policy, Satellite, snippets|

[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 [...]

direct marketing under the consumer protection act

2026-04-27T16:13:53+02:00April 27th, 2026|Consumer Protection, content regulation, Open for comment, snippets|

[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. ___ [...]

USAASA and the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF)

2026-04-27T16:06:12+02:00April 27th, 2026|snippets, Uncategorized, universal Access|

[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 [...]

ICASA inquiry into issuing of new individual service licences

2026-04-27T11:51:47+02:00April 26th, 2026|individual licence applications, licensing, newsletters, Open for comment, snippets|

[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 [...]

domain name management

2026-04-24T21:50:29+02:00April 24th, 2026|snippets, Uncategorized|

| 2019 | 2018 | [24 April 2026] The .za Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) has presented its Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the period 1 March 2026 - 30 April 2027. ZADNA Annual Performance Plan 2026-27 __ [21 February 2026] The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA), .za Registry Consortium (ZARC) and the .za Domain Name [...]

ITU questionnaires

2026-04-02T10:54:51+02:00April 2nd, 2026|snippets, Uncategorized|

[1 April 2026] ICASA has released the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators questionnaire (WTI Questionnaire) 2026 on telecommunications statistics. The reporting period is January 2025 to December 2025. An explanation of the definitions used is provided as a separate document. Letter to Stakeholders ITU World Telecommunication ICT Indicators Long Questionnaire 2026 Definitions (.xlsx) [...]

financial forecast report for ECS and ECNS licensees

2026-03-31T15:44:07+02:00March 31st, 2026|compliance, ICASA, snippets|

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 [...]

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