BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE: INPUT SOUGHT ON DRAFT MINISTERIAL POLICY DIRECTION

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE: INPUT SOUGHT ON DRAFT MINISTERIAL POLICY DIRECTION

• 12 March 2026
• Communications & Digital Technologies
• SA Legal Academy

Please note: On 13 March 2026, the department issued a media statement unpacking the proposed new policy drection in greater detail; 2) On 9 April 2026, the department gazetted a notice extending the commentary deadline to 25 April 2026.

Communications & Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has announced his intention to issue a policy direction requiring the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ‘identify the most suitable way’ to ensure the ‘rapid deployment’ of high-speed broadband networks and services.

With that in mind, input is sought by 11 April 2026 on proposals that, once finalised and enforced, would require ICASA to:

• ‘consider’ amendments to the 2010 facilities leasing regulations, focusing on:
  • ‘access to essential facilities’, and
  • ‘the concept of open access’, and
• ‘develop rapid deployment regulations’ among other things:
  • curtailing the ‘unnecessary duplication’ of facilities and infrastructure
  • where appropriate, facilitating information sharing among licensees by establishing and regularly updating a ‘new and existing infrastructure’ network deployment database, and
  • providing for a speedy licensee-land/property owner dispute resolution mechanism.

Please click the link below for more information:

• policy direction proposals

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

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