License conversion process moves ahead
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says that the license conversion process is on track with licence exemption regulations set to be finalised in January 2008 and VANS conversion hearings to be held in March 2008.
“The standard terms and conditions applicable to individual and class licences have been finalised in Government Gazettes No. 30530 and No. 30512 respectively. The licence exemption regulations will be finalised in January 2008,” ICASA said in an official statement.
“The licence fees regulations will be finalised once the Authority has completed all the necessary consultations and required research. The finalisation of the licence fees regulations will then allow the Authority to proceed with publication of the finalized procedures and process regulations. “
The Authority further said that it is currently drafting the specific terms and conditions applicable to individual licensees. Once they have been drafted they will be sent to those who are entitled to an individual licence for comment, before they are published for public comment and input.
“Further, the Authority has carefully considered all the submissions received in response to Government Gazettes No. 30438 and No. 30352, and has decided that VANs will in the first instance be converted to ECS and that a competitive process will be followed in respect of granting VANS the right to acquire ECNS as per the Ministerial Directive. An Invitation To Apply (ITA) to this effect will be issued in January 2008,” ICASA said.
A separate matrix for VANS (ECNS applications) will be published once interested parties have responded to the ITA and submissions have been evaluated. ICASA will then hold public hearings in March 2008 in order to fast track this process
ICASA further indicated that they will shortly publish a licensing conversion matrix for Broadcasting, Telecommunications and VANS (Class and Individual ECS).
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