ICASA’s Public Hearings on the Draft Mobile Broadband Services Regulations Commence

The public hearings on the Draft Mobile Broadband Services Regulations held by The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) finally commenced on 13th August, with an opening statement by Councillor Thembeka Semane. Here is an excerpt from her opening address:

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Inquiry into mobile broadband services was launched in November 2018 following the conclusion of the Priority Markets study two months prior, wherein the Authority made a finding that mobile broadband services will be prioritised for a market inquiry.

The purpose of the Inquiry, as set out in the Notice of intention to conduct market inquiry into mobile broadband services was to assess the state of competition and to determine whether or not there are markets or market segments within the mobile broadband services value chain which may warrant regulation in terms of section 67(4) of Electronic Communications Act.

Various phases of the Inquiry have been concluded and we are nearing the end of the process.

Phase 1 – which is commencement of the Inquiry including publication of the questionnaire (concluded)
Phase 2 – publication of the Discussion Document (concluded)
Phase 3 – public hearings on the Discussion Document (concluded)
Phase 4 – publication of Findings and Draft Regulations on Mobile Broadcasting Services Regulations (concluded)
Phase 5 – public hearings on the Draft Mobile Broadcasting Services Regulations (where we are now), and
Phase 6 – publication of the Final Regulations and Reasons Document (upcoming).

Our sincere gratitude to all the stakeholders who participated and engaged with the Committee constructively in all these processes thus far.

Councillor Thembeka Semane