Category: South Africa

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) announced the reopening of applications for community sound broadcasting services in December 2024. 

This includes Community Sound Broadcasting Service licences and associated Radio Frequency Spectrum licences. Following the previous successful licensing round in 2022/2023, where five applicants were awarded licences, ICASA will initiate the new process with an Invitation to Pre-Register. To guide prospective applicants, ICASA will conduct a virtual workshop on 18 July 2024, aiming to clarify application requirements. 

The Chairperson of ICASA’s Licensing of Community Radio Broadcasters Council Committee encourages communities to participate, emphasizing the importance of understanding the Community Broadcasting Services Regulations beforehand.

For more information kindly click here: Official Announcement

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ICASA has published an Amendment to Annexure B of Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015 in respect of Radio Frequency Spectrum License Exemptions, effectively opening up the lower 6 GHz spectrum band for the provision of Wi-Fi services. The specific frequencies covered by this amendment range from 5.925 GHz to 6.425 GHz.

This decision effectively allows the utilization of the lower 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi services. Annexure B of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations is an important component of implementing the provisions of the National Radio Frequency Band Plan

Additionally, ICASA has also incorporated the 122-246 GHz frequency band for Non-Specific Short-range Applications.

https://www.icasa.org.za/news/2023/icasa-releases-more-spectrum-for-wi-fi-services-in-the-lower-6ghz-band

The ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) has published for further public consultation, three Second Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs) for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems.

The Authority had previously published ten RFSAPs for public consultation in Government Gazette No 46160 on 31 March 2022.

The Authority determined that three of the ten bands require a further round of consultation. These have now been published in the Government Gazette No: 48078.

The three bands are:
• 450 MHz to 470 MHz;
• 825 MHz to 830 MHz / 870 MHz to 875 MHz;
• 1427 MHz to 1518 MHz

Comments must be submitted on or before 6 March 2023.

All written representations, responses, and other correspondence in terms of the published Notice must be directed to Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho Project Leader: Radio Frequency Migration Plan Council Committee, via email at rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za.

South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has formally implemented the ILAC EMC CoC certification procedure. SABS will now accept test reports to CE standards which have been issued by SABS-approved or ILAC-accredited labs in place of testing at a SABS-accredited lab. Manufacturers can now apply for SABS approval using ILAC-accredited test reports. This applies to applications for all non-telecommunication electronic and electrical equipment

The new regulation came into force on November 1, 2022

Official Announcement :

2022_11_02_EMC_COC.pdf (sabs.co.za)

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) opened a public consultation on the planned amendments of Annexure B – Radio Apparatus exempt from radio frequency spectrum licenses – of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015.

After reviewing written submissions from interested stakeholders ICASA amended Annexure B, which contains information such as maximum radiated power, field strength or sensitivity limits and relevant test standards for various types of equipment.

The updated regulations came into force after being published in the Government Gazette on 2021-12-24.

Official Source Here