ICASA to hold public hearings on broadcasting transmission services

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa invites all interested parties and the media to the public hearings on Broadcasting Transmission Services. The public hearings are pursuant to the written submissions received from interested parties on the Discussion Document published on 15 June 2011.

Initially, the Authority published a notice of intention to conduct an inquiry on Broadcasting Transmission Services in the Government Gazette on 30 September 2010. The Authority further released a questionnaire on 06 October 2010 to all licensees requesting relevant information such that the Authority can, amongst others:

Define the market for wholesale transmission services; Evaluate the effectiveness of competition in the wholesale transmission services market/s Declare those licensees with significant market power, where necessary
The information assisted the Authority in preparing the Discussion Document which sets out the Authority’s initial views on the market definition, operator(s) that may have Significant Market Power (SMP) in these markets, and possible pro-competitive measures that might be applied in these markets where competition may be found to be ineffective.

The purpose of the Discussion Document was to seek information from interested stakeholders on a number of aspects of the wholesale broadcasting transmission market in South Africa. In particular, the Authority is interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the current structure and the level of competition in the market.

The hearings are scheduled as follows:
Date: 28 to 29 November 2011
Venue: ICASA Head Office, Pinmill Farm, Block C Presentation Room, 164,  Katherine Street, Sandton

The first day of the hearings is scheduled for parties who are interested in making oral representations to share their views with ICASA. The second day of the hearings is scheduled as a “Right of Reply” session where interested parties are afforded an opportunity to respond to issues raised during the presentations.

The schedule for the hearings is outlined below:

Organisation

Time Day One

Chairperson’s Opening Address
08h45 – 09h00

Neotel
09h00 – 10h00

Cape Town TV
10h00 – 11h00
TEA BREAK

Taylor Engineering
11h30 – 12h30

ETV
12h30 – 13h30
LUNCH BREAK

Sentech
14h30 - 15h30

Day Two

Neotel
09H00 – 09H45

Cape Town TV
09H45 – 10H30

Tea Break

Taylor Engineering
11h00 – 11h45

ETV
11H45 – 12H30

Sentech
12H30 – 13H15

For media enquiries please contact:
Paseka Maleka
Tel: 011 566 3455
Cell: 079 509 0702
E-mail: pmaleka@icasa.org.za