ICASA to issue out licences to electronic communications service providers

FOLLOWING its recent High Court victory over communications minister, Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says that it will soon begin to issue electronic communications network service (ECNS) and electronic communications service (ECS) licenses to value-added network service providers (VANs).

Matsepe-Casaburri had made a High court appeal for an urgent interdict to prevent ICASA from issuing these licenses, but the court rejected it, giving the VANs the right to self-provide.

ICASA stated in a November 14 Government Gazette notice, that it will convert all VANS licences, including licenses granted after 19 July 2006, to ECS and ECNS licences, and has already invited comments on a draft licence and a proposed licence conversion framework, which should be submitted before December 5.

According to the proposed framework, potential licensees will be required to indicate, inter alia, whether they require a class or individual licence, proposed geographic coverage area, submit a comprehensive technical plan and commence the rollout of the network within 12 months of the licence being issued.

The licenses are expected to be issued in January

By ITNewsAfrica.com