Documents
Films and Publications Amendment Bill
General Terms and Conditions of Individual and Class Licences
On 30 August 2007, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (The Authority) published its intention to prescribe the general terms and conditions of the licences (the draft terms and conditions) in terms of Chapter 3 of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (The EC Act), in Government Gazette 30246, Notice 1084.
The Minister's Policy Directives
On 17 September 2007, the Minister of Communications, Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, published Policies and Policy directions drafted in terms of section 3(1) and (2) of the EC Act.
This came after a public consultative process the DoC conducted on draft Policies and Policy Directions. In its written submission, the NAB outlined that it supported the Minister's proposed policy directions which stated that in preparation for the national radio frequency plan, or appropriate modification to any existing radio frequency plan, ICASA must be guided by the decisions to be taken at the World Radio Conference 2007(WRC-07). The NAB further added that the Minister should further direct ICASA to also take into account the decision of the Regional Radio Communication Conference 2006 (RRC-06), regarding radio spectrum frequency, when preparing the national radio frequency plan.
Draft Interconnection and Facilites Leasing Regulations
Draft Regulations for End-User and Subscriber Service Charters
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (the Authority) published notice number 851 of 2007, in government gazette number 30073, dated 13 July 2007 (the notice). The notice invited interested persons to submit written representations to the Authority’s intention to make regulations in respect of end-user and subscriber service charters for postal, broadcasting electronic communications network services and electronic communications services licencees (the draft regulations). The deadline for written submissions was no later than 16H00 on 24 August 2007. The NAB submitted its written representation.
The Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill (AGA Bill)
The Constitution of South Africa requires that broadcasting in South Africa be regulated by an independent authority (ICASA). Certain provisions of the Astronomy Geographic Bill, however, give the Minister of Science and Technology and/or the Management Authority to be established in terms of section 15 of the Bill, and such Management Authorities will be vested with powers which will infringe on the powers of ICASA. In the NAB’s view, this is in contravention of Section 192 of the Constitution.
On 31 July 2007, the NAB made an oral submission before the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology highlighting these issues. The submission was a follow up of a written submission the NAB had submitted on 18 July 2007 in response to the Astronomy Geographic Bill.
Proposed Codes of Conduct for Licencees
Draft Regulations for Sectors to meet the need of people with disabilites
On 14 June 2007, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“ICASA”) published notice number 765 of 2007, in government gazette number 29986, (“the notice”). In the notice, ICASA invited interested persons to submit written representations to its intention to make regulations in respect of the Electronic Communications, Broadcasting and Postal sectors to meet the needs of people with disabilities (“the proposed regulations”) in terms of section 70 read with section 4(1) of the EC Act as well as section 2(h) of the Postal Services Act 1244 of 1998. The closing date for written submissions was 20 July 2007. The NAB made a written submission in this regard.
Subsequently, on 20 September 2007, ICASA invited stakeholders to participate in a consultative workshop, which was intended to assist in the finalisation of the regulations on the code for people with disabilities.