Ex-girlfriend’s porn pics revenge | IOL
A 37-year-old man had been left red-faced after his ex-girlfriend sent pornographic images to his friends and WhatsApp contacts. Source: Ex-girlfriend’s porn pics revenge | IOL
Evaluation Panel for ICASA Council
[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 [...]
What more can be done to deliver fibre connectivity across South Africa? – Memeburn
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 [...]
Telecoms structures in proximity to runways
[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 [...]
South Africa’s new Internet censorship law – FPB will force ISPs to block online content
Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions has provided an overview of the Film and Publication Board’s new Online Regulation Policy. Source: South Africa’s new Internet censorship law – FPB will force ISPs to block online content
Local ISPs voice strong support for net neutrality | TechCentral
The Internet Service Providers' Association (Ispa), the body that represents most of South Africa's ISPs, has again reiterated that it supports the concept of network neutrality. It said in a statement on Friday that there should be no blocking Source: Local ISPs voice strong support for net neutrality | TechCentral
Why the FPB wants Netflix to cough up R795k | Fin24
Content classification authority the Film and Publication Board has explained why online video services like Netflix are urged to pay a R795 000 licensing fee. Source: Why the FPB wants Netflix to cough up R795k | Fin24
Netflix – don’t pay R795,000 to the FPB
Netflix – don’t pay R795,000 to the FPB Source: Netflix – don’t pay R795,000 to the FPB
UN report tough on SA govt surveillance | ITWeb
A UN report says government needs to increase the transparency of its surveillance policy and establish independent oversight mechanisms. A new repor.. Source: UN report tough on SA govt surveillance | ITWeb
Telkom SOC : Fibre optic turf war pushes speeds up and prices down | 4-Traders
Source: Telkom SOC : Fibre optic turf war pushes speeds up and prices down | 4-Traders
Inquiry into infrastructure sharing
[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 [...]
Regulation of OTT services / Net Neutrality in South Africa
[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 [...]
Policy direction on effective competition in broadband markets
[4 March 2016] The final policy direction has been published. Policy Direction Broadband Pricing The substance of the policy direction has been distilled to its essence - that ICASA must proceed urgently to use its pro-competitive power under Chapter 10 of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 to create a regulatory framework that promotes [...]
South Africa Urged by Regulator to Approve Spectrum Auction – Bloomberg Business
South Africa must end years of deliberation and approve the auction of radio spectrum so mobile-network operators can roll out high-speed broadband services to communities across the country, the telecommunications regulator said.Source: South Africa Urged by Regulator to Approve Spectrum Auction - Bloomberg Business
Protection from Harassment Act 2013, regulations and directives
[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 [...]
Services such as WhatsApp could face regulation in SA | Telecoms & Technology | BDlive
Over-the-top services such as Skype and Google Hangouts allow users to send messages and call over data networks at comparatively lower costs Source: Services such as WhatsApp could face regulation in SA | Telecoms & Technology | BDlive
Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2015
[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 [...]
Outstanding spectrum licence fees
[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...
Scary new Internet censorship law for South Africa
Ellipsis director and regulatory expert Dominic Cull highlighted that it is not significant that the bill has been approved by Cabinet.“The debate only begins when the bill is introduced in Parliament,” said Cull. “Don’t expect the bill to look the same coming out as it did going in.”Cull said the process of drafting an online content [...]
Joint Launch of the Gender and ICT Strategy & Children and ICT Strategy
[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 [...]
Review of Regulation on South African Local Content: Television and Radio
[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 [...]
Final ICT Policy Review Recommendations
Contents OPEN INTERNET AND NET NEUTRALITY. 4 R3. OPEN INTERNET POLICY. 4 R4. NET NEUTRALITY LIMITATIONS. 4 R5. BROADBAND INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE AS AN ESSENTIAL FACILITY. 5 CONVERGENCE. 5 R15. POLICY OBJECTIVES UNDERPINNING CONVERGENCE. 5 R56. IP BASED TECHNOLOGIES. 6 R57. OVER-THE-TOP (OTT) SERVICES. 6 R72. POLICY FOR CLOUD COMPUTING.. 7 COMPETITION ISSUES. 8 R16. ANNUAL [...]
ICASA’s powers to request information during an inquiry
[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 [...]
South Africa gets first look at cybercrime bill that comes with 25-year jail terms | ZDNet
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
Controlling content on a mobile handset in South Africa
[2 September 2015] Doing basic parental control of the content available on a mobile phone in South Africa is really simple. Unless you use Cell C or Telkom Mobile, in which case you will need to use a third party provider. There is really no excuse for not taking this most basic of measures if [...]
Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013
[12 August 2015] The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 came into force on 9 August 2015. The stated purpose of this Act is to give effect to the Republic’s obligations concerning the trafficking of persons in terms of international agreements; to provide for an offence of trafficking in persons and [...]
Copyright Amendment Bill 2015
[16 June 2020] The President of the Republic has returned the Copyright Amendment Bill [B13B-2017] and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill [B24B-2016] to the National Assembly for consideration of the President’s reservations about their constitutionality. President Letter to Parliament re Copyright Amendment Bill 16 June 2020 ___ [10 August 2015] The Department of Trade and [...]
ICT Satellite Account
[8 August 2015] The Deputy-Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services – Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize during a speech at the ICT Achievers Awards 2015 Media Launch – provided information on the 2012 Information and Communication Technology satellite account which was released during the first quarter of 2015.This satellite account provides an overview of the role that ICT [...]
National ICT Consultative Forum
[3 August 2015] Nothing like a whiny post on an obscure blog to spur action :) Invitations have been despatched for follow-up meetings to the launch event and it looks like this initiative will live again come 17 August 2015. ___ [27 July 2015] Just noting for the record that nothing further has happened regarding [...]
e-Health: Establishment of Ministerial Advisory Committee
[25 July 2015] The Minister of health has gazetted a Notice establishing a Ministerial Advisory Committee on e-Health and setting out its composition, functions, working procedure and the remuneration and allowances payable to its members. Establishment of Ministerial Advisory Committee on e-Health The Notice specifies the following definition of "e-Health": "e- Health" means the combined [...]