[13 July 2015] ICASA and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement which sets out which type of consumer complaints each will deal with in future. Memorandum of Agreement entered into between the National Consumer Commission and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (July 2015) In broad terms: the NCC [...]
The Film and Publications Board has agreed in principle to defer the regulation of online press content to the Press Council of South Africa. Source: Press Council, FPB lock down content regulation deal | Fin24
South Africa's adoption of digital terrestrial television (DTT) should be carefully evaluated and perhaps even dumped, says an industry insider. Source: 'Just dump SA digital TV migration' | Fin24
ISPA has asked for greater competition through open access, an understanding of net neutrality, and a regulator that is equipped to translate policy into practice. Source: ISPA’s three wishes
[8 June 2015] Indications are that the next two years will see the introduction of a number of Bills which are likely to impact significantly on electronic communications in South Africa. Under the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) there is now a clear path to the drafting of a new ICT Policy White [...]
The state's incompetence is hindering connectivity as well as its own developmental goals. Source: Broadband failure costs SA dearly | Business | M&G
Consumers have been battling with high telecommunications and broadband prices for years, and despite some regulatory interventions, not much has changed. While a few consumers may take the time to get involved in the regulatory process, they don’t have access to high-level legal expertise to effectively fight for consumer rights. This is set to change. [...]
See further http://www.ellipsis.co.za/progress-in-assignments-in-700800-mhz-and-2-6-ghz/ __ [6 May 2015] ICASA have published Gazettes identifying and rectifying errors in the spectrum assignment plans for IMT bands published last month. These have been inserted in the previous post next to the document they relate to. ___ [2 April 2015] ICASA has published final radio frequency spectrum assignment plans (RFSAPs) [...]
[5 May 2015] The ICT Panel of Experts has handed over its final report to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr Siyabonga Cwele. The Minister has indicated that he anticipates that the review process will be finalised this year. Executive Summary National Integrated ICT Policy Review Report March 2015 National Integrated ICT Policy [...]
[3 May 2015] ICASA has published a notice in the Gazette and issued a press release notifying four holders of service licences granted under the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005. In a way it is astonishing that it has taken this long.... In any event Inburru Technologies (Pty) Ltd Primetel (Pty) Ltd Netralink (Pty) [...]
[2 February 2015] Telkom and BCG - parent company to BCX - have notified ICASA that they have withdrawn this application on the basis of legal advice received. It is highly likely that this relates to arguments raised in the public hearings into the application brought by Vodacom and Neotel for transfer of control over [...]
[9 December 2014] We have prepared a short advisory on the requirements for communicating electronically with SARS. Advisory on SARS electronic communications ____ [28 August 2014] On 25 August the South African Revenue Service (SARS) published new rules on how it deals with tax-payers and others that communicate with it using electronic channels. SARS Rules [...]
[1 December 2014] The deadline for submissions has been extended to 16 January 2015. Notice on DoC website ___ [13 November 2014] The Department of Communications has called for written proposals on a new review of existing broadcasting policy. Call for Written Proposals on Broadcasting Policy Review November 2014 Minister's Statement on the Broadcasting Policy [...]
[24 November 2014] The deadline for responses to the ITA has been extended to 31 March 2015. ___ [3 September 2014] ICASA issued an Invitation to Apply for Individual Commercial Free To Air Television Broadcasting Service Licences under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act on 28 August 2014. Invitation To Apply for Free to Air Television Broadcasting [...]
[10 November 2014] We are informed that the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services handed over the doc.gov.za domain to the new Department of Communications effective 7 November 2014. Nominations should accordingly be sent to eadom@dtps.gov.za / zsibiya@dtps.gov.za. __ [3 November 2014] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has invited the public to submit nominations for members [...]
See further Numbering Plan Regulations 2016. [16 October 2014] ICASA has issued a notice extending the deadline for compliance with those provisions of the Numbering Plan Regulations 2012 relating to the implementation of new frameworks for the implementation of toll-free, premium-rated and machine-related services. Extension for compliance with toll free, premium rated, machine related services requirements [...]
[8 October 2014] ICASA has withdrawn the Findings Document published in GG 36537 on 7 June 2013. No reasons for the withdrawal have been advanced. Withdrawal Findings Document Broadcasting Transmission Services 3 October 2014 __ [10 June 2013] ICASA has published its Findings Document to close off its Inquiry into Broadcasting Transmission Services. Findings Document [...]
[26 September 2014] ICASA has published draft Inquiry Prescribed Form Regulations for comment. Catchy title aside, the intention of the draft regulations is simply to prescribe the form which ICASA can use if it requires any person to provide information or to appear before it during the conduct of an inquiry under section 4B of [...]
[13 September 2014] ICASA has announced that it will conduct public hearings in connection with submissions received from 1 -3 September 2014. Notice of public hearings Press release: ICASA Convenes Oral Hearings On The State Of Competition Into The ICT Sector __ [11 August 2014] Summary of responses made with regard to Net Neutrality __ [25 July [...]
[7 September 2014] Updated version Overview of Electronic Communications Regulation in South Africa 2014 (September) ___ [26 May 2014] Updated version as at 23 May 2014 [further update to accommodate the recent Cabinet announcement and new institutional structure to follow soon, or at least once we have worked out the new lay of the land]. [...]
[30 August 2014] The Promotion of Diversity and Competition on Digital Terrestrial Television Regulations, 2014 came into force on publication in the Government Gazette on 22 August 2014. Promotion of Diversity and Competition on DTT Regulations 2014 The Regulations are intended to promote diversity and competition in digital TV and set out how spectrum will be allocated to [...]
[28 July 2014] The City of Cape Town is in the process of drafting a Telecommunication Infrastructure Policy which will provide guidance to telecommunications providers and municipal decision-makers as regards the deployment of electronic communications facilities and networks. The City has given notice in terms of Section 17 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act that [...]
[19 July 2014] ICASA has released the second and final International Telecommunications Union (“ITU”) questionnaire for 2014. All licensees are required to fill in the questionnaire and return it to ICASA by no later than 8 September 2014. These statistics are used to meet South Africa’s reporting obligations to the ITU and to compile an up-to-date “Status [...]
[20 July 2014] Joint report of the Portfolio Committees on Communications and on Telecommunications and Postal Services on their deliberations on Budget Vote 27: Communications, and entities of the Department of Communications, dated 11 July 2014 Address by the Honourable Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr Siyabonga Cwele on the occasion of the Budget Vote [...]
[18 August 2024] Presentation of Legacy Report of 6th Administration to Portfolio Committee for Communications and Digital Technology (PCCDT) ___ [7 July 2014] The May 2014 general election process brought an end to the fourth Parliament to sit in South Africa since democracy. Part of the process of handing over the business of Parliament from [...]
[4 July 2014] A joint meeting of the Portfolio Committees for the Department of Communications (DoC) and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DoTPS) was held on 1 July 2014. Or wasn't, given that the DoTPS does not yet exist. While it is obvious that the confusion caused by the new political institutional arrangement [...]
[29 June 2014] Here is some simple advice on lodging a criminal complaint with SAPS if you are the victim of a cybercrime. Depending on which station you are reporting to you may have wildly-contrasting experiences - remember that patience and politeness are the most likely strategies to advance your own interests. Suggested process Draft as [...]
[3 June 2014] Our view on this judgement (external link) as expressed in an op-ed for Business Day. ‘Right to forget’ judgment will require careful balancing acts (external link to Business Day, may require free registration to view)
[31 May 2014] The Wireless Access Providers' Association (WAPA) hosted a Future Wireless Technology Forum on Thursday 29 May 2014. The initial gathering covered technology solutions and related business opportunities in the millimetre wave (mmW) band, with focus on V-Band (60 GHz) and E-Band (70 & 80 GHz). Future discussions will involve emerging technologies such as [...]
[22 May 2014] The Electronic Communications Amendment Act 1 of 2014 came into force on 21 May 2014. Proclamation of EC Amendment Act 1 of 2014 ___ [15 April 2014] Overview of the Electronic Communications Amendment Act 1 of 2014 ___ [8 April 2014] The Electronic Communications Amendment Act 1 of 2014 was assented to by [...]