The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa wishes to inform all stakeholders that the Authority has published the Under-Serviced Area Definition Regulations and the Findings Document in relation to the Review of Universal Service and Access Obligations.
The two processes were initiated and completed concurrently given that they complement each other. In coming up with the regulations for defining under-serviced areas, the Authority decided to use District and Local Municipalities to determine which communication services are not provided. It would have been difficult to limit certain communication services such as broadcasting to ward level because of the scope of coverage which, under normal circumstances, covers the whole district or local municipality.
The authority's position is that moving forward all the existing obligations which were imposed and not complied with still apply to the respective service providers or licensees. The Authority will revise these obligations in consultation with the affected service providers or licensees.
In undertaking the two processes, the Authority's objective was to deliver a comprehensive approach on how to implement its mandate to ensure universal access to the communication services going forward; and of course to accomplish the national objective of communication services and connectivity for all South Africans.
Read more about the final regulations, under:
For all media enquiries please contact:
Paseka Maleka
Tel: 011 566 3455
Cell: 079 509 0702
E-mail: pmaleka@icasa.org.za
