Posted by LA Thornton on Friday, January 7, 2011
ICASA published a second draft of "compliance manual" regulations on 20 December 2010, for public comment due 18 January 2011. The compliance manual calls for no less than eight new reports that licensees will be required to submit to ICASA, if the regulations are enacted. These reports include two that will be due quarterly, with respect to compliance with the E-rate regulations and code of conduct regulations. Comments on these draft regulations are due by no later than 31 January 2011. ... Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Did you know that all licensees must ensure that their services are accessible and available to people with disabilities. For more information, contact info@thornton.co.za. Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Did you know that all licensees must provide a 50 percent discount to public schools and universities for Internet services, including connectivity charges, charges for equipment and charges for calls to an Internet service provider? For more information, contact info@thornton.co.za. Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Thursday, November 18, 2010
Did you know that all individual electronic communications service and electronic communications network service licensees must file tariffs with ICASA? For more information, contact info@thornton.co.za. Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Minister released for public comment the ICASA Amendment Bill, 2010. The Bill is aimed at clarifying the separate responsibilities of the CEO and Council, improving turn around times for complaints and creating a Tariff Advisory Council, according to the memorandum attached to the draft Bill. Some further notable changes brought about by the Bill include the following. - The addition of a provision making it ICASA's obligation to implement policy and policy directions. Currently, because of...
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Posted by LA Thornton on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Update: ICASA withdrew the invitation on 29 July 2010. ICASA issued an invitation to apply for spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands in separate notices dated 28 May 2010. The applications are due to be filed with ICASA by 25 June 2010. ICASA also published a Reasons Document and Regulations on the procedures and criteria for granting licences where there are competing applications. The ITA for the 3.5 GHz band is to class electronic communications network service licensees for the purpo... Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Minister of Communications, General Siphiwe Nyanda, delivered his budget speech on 20 April 2010, indicating that the Broadband Policy has been finalised (but not yet published) and promising the introduction of an ICASA Amendment Bill, the Public Service Broadcasting Bill and an Electronic Communications Amendment Bill. The Minister thanked Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom for cooperating in reducing communications costs (by reducing too high call termination fees), and exhorted ICASA to... Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Tuesday, April 13, 2010
ICASA published a Reasons for Decision document on 7 April 2010 detailing a process that has led to its denial to Broadband Infraco, of an electronic communications service (ECS) licence. Broadband Infraco was earlier issued an electronic communications network service (ECNS) licence by ICASA. I must admit, I am a bit confused about this decision. Broadband Infraco, in terms of its own Act, has as it main object, to provide access to electronic communications by providing ECNS and ECS. How is... Continue reading...
Posted by LA Thornton on Thursday, March 4, 2010
On 16 Feb 2010, ICASA published a Discussion Document on the Regulation of Internet Protocol TV, for public comment, due 26 March 2010. ICASA indicates that the Discussion Document will lead to a regulatory framework for IPTV. It sets out comparative regulatory frameworks in various other jurisdictions and concludes with some questions regarding the appropriate manner (if at all) to regulate IPTV in South Africa. The Discussion Document asks fundamental questions like whether the EC Act ... Continue reading...
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