SATELLITE SERVICES INQUIRY: FINDINGS DOCUMENT GAZETTED

SATELLITE SERVICES INQUIRY: FINDINGS DOCUMENT GAZETTED

• 17 April 2025
• Communications & Digital Technologies
• SA Legal Academy

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has gazetted a findings document on the outcome of its inquiry into the merits or otherwise of developing and implementing a licensing framework for satellite services. Begun in August 2024, the inquiry was undertaken with specific objectives in mind:

• equitable access to spectrum
• a competitive environment
• an environment supporting next-generation satellite technologies deployment
• protection for terrestrial services from harmful interference
• the management of spectrum resources in higher frequency bands, and
• the facilitation of international coordination for satellite operations.

According to the findings document, there is ‘broad consensus’ on the importance of developing a clear, transparent, and flexible regulatory framework aligned with international best practice but nevertheless addressing South Africa’s ‘unique needs’.

While stakeholders ‘emphasised the need for regulatory certainty, harmonisation with global standards, and a balanced approach that promotes competition, investment, and universal access to communication services’, ‘significant concerns’ were raised. They included:

• ‘the potential for regulatory duplication’
• challenges that may arise in aligning the proposed framework with prevailing legislation, and
• ‘the need for further clarity’ on key issues including:
  • satellite ground-to-earth station licensing, and
  • space segment registration.

Please click the link below for more information:

• findings document

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

Follow us on X @SALegalAcademy (you can also join us on LinkedIn and Facebook)

0 COMMENTS

LEAVE A COMMENT