SA regulator opens submissions for I-ECNS license

THE Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has opened submissions for applications for Individual Electronic Communications Network Services by Broadcasting Service Licensees for the purpose of self-provision.
“The Authority invites any interested parties to submit written responses on or before 31July,” says spokesperson Sekgoela Sekgoela.

Sekgoela said ICASA would also invite members of the public to make submissions.
“All written responses submitted to the Authority pursuant to the applications shall be made available for inspection by interested persons at the ICASA library during weekdays from 8:30 am to 16:30 pm and copies of such responses can be obtained upon payment of the prescribed fee. The Authority intends holding public hearings on the applications on 20 August 2009. Persons or organisations who wish to make any written responses must also indicate whether they would like an opportunity to make oral representations at the hearings.”

On 26 March this year, ICASA issued an invitation to broadcasting services licensees to apply for I-ECNS (Individual Electronic Communications Network Services) licence for the provisioning of broadcasting services through satellite infrastructure. It received five applications from Walking on Waters (WoW), etv, On Digital Media (ODM), Telkom Media and WorldSpace.

Goodman Majola