broadcasting and telecommunications

Broadcasting

GG42808 – 2019 GEN NN 585: Amendment of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015

On 30 October 2019, ICASA published the Amendment of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015. The amendment supplemented regulation 7 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015 (as amended) which deals with an applicant's disqualification from the application process in respect of applying for spectrum. The supplemented provision states that an applicant will be disqualified, inter alia, to the extent that the applicant "has less than 30% (thirty percent) equity ownership by Historically Disadvantaged Persons or is below a level 4 contributor (B-BBEE status) in terms of the Codes of Good Practice published in terms of section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act".

GG42835 – 2019 GEN NN606: Invitation to Pre-Register for Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licences

On 12 November 2019, ICASA published its notice inviting applications for Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licences.

All applications will be considered based on the requirements set out in ICASA's notice of Invitation to Pre-Register, including all applicable regulations and the Electronic Communications Act, 2005.

The notice is accessible and can be downloaded here.

Telecommunications

GG42825 – 2019 GEN NN598: Request for Submissions with respect to the International Telecommunications Regulations Review

On 1 November 2019, ICASA published a notice requesting submissions from stakeholders with respect to the review of the International Telecommunications Regulations, 2012 ("ITRs"). The ITRs are intended to facilitate "global interconnection and interoperability" of telecommunications traffic across national borders. The submissions/input sought by ICASA are with respect to the first meeting of the Expert Group on the ITRs. From this meeting member states were tasked with providing a provision-by-provision analysis of the preamble and articles 1-2 of the 2012 ITRs. At a later stage (a date for the deadline of these submissions will be published in the Government Gazette), submissions will also be sought to assist with the second meeting of the Expert Group on the ITRs scheduled to take place from 12-13 February 2020. The submissions will assist the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, and ICASA to formulate informed contributions which take into account the commercial and regulatory ICT landscape of South Africa at the next meeting of the Expert Group on the ITRs.

Submissions must be made by populating an examination table with an analysis of each provision of the ITR. This will be made available on the ICASA website (https://www.icasa.org.za).

The deadline for submissions is 13 December 2019 at 16h00. The requested information must be submitted to the following email address: bmakola@icasa.org.za

GG42829 – 2019 GEN NN600: Notice Regarding the Final International Mobile Telecommunications Roadmap 2019

On 8 November 2019, ICASA published the Final International Mobile Telecommunications Roadmap 2019. The Final International Mobile Telecommunications Roadmap is available on the ICASA website (https://www.icasa.org.za). ICASA will publish its reasons with regard to the Final International Mobile Telecommunication Roadmap once it is finalised.

ICASA Publishes Information Memorandum on High-Demand Spectrum

On 1 November 2019, ICASA published the much-anticipated Information Memorandum for the high-demand spectrum licensing process for comment (the Information Memorandum can be accessed here) . The Information Memorandum follows on the publication of the Policy on High Demand Spectrum and Policy Direction on the Licensing of a Wireless Open Access Network, which mandated ICASA to develop an approach to licensing the 4G and 5G spectrum.

The Information Memorandum invites comments on ICASA's views on the licensing of spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, and 3.5GHz radio frequency bands. ICASA has said that "the licensing of high demand spectrum is one of the critical components to facilitate deployment of digital infrastructure to ensure that all consumers and the business environment participate meaningfully in future Information and Communications Technology (ICT) opportunities towards the digital economy". The Information Memorandum further provides guidance to stakeholders and prospective applicants on the process and criteria to be applied by the Authority in the licensing of the spectrum.

To view the full article, please click here.

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