Comments invited on proposed Policy Direction to ICASA regarding Individual Electronic Communications Network Licences

An I-ECNS license is required to operate an electronic communication network of a provincial or national scope for commercial purposes. However, in terms of section 5(6) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (ECA), ICASA may only accept and consider applications for I-ECNS licences in terms of a policy direction issued by the Minister.

The Minister's proposed policy direction requires ICASA to conduct an inquiry to consider the following:

• the demand for and need to invite applications for new I-ECNS licences;
• whether new I-ECNS licences would promote the objects of the Act and specifically improve competition in the electronic communications network services market;
• whether or not and how new I-ECNS licences would contribute to the universal provision of electronic communications networks; and
• whether the benefits of new I-ECNS licences outweigh the costs, including the cost to ICASA of monitoring and enforcing compliance with any such licences, and the burden on the environment.

In terms of the proposed policy direction, ICASA would be directed to submit a report to the Minister regarding the above issues within six months to enable the Minister to consider whether to issue a further policy direction in terms of section 3, read with 5(6) of the ECA.