The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has announced an extension to the deadline for stakeholder input regarding its inquiry into the 2012 Digital Migration Regulations. The new deadline is 13 June 2024, a ten working day extension from the initial deadline of 30 May 2024.
The inquiry announced on 12 March 2024, seeks to review the effectiveness of the regulations governing the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in South Africa.
Additionally, Icasa has announced that public hearings will be held from 26 to 28 June 2024 to further discuss the inquiry’s findings. A detailed schedule for the hearings will be released closer to the date.
This extension and the upcoming public hearings represent a critical opportunity for industry stakeholders to participate in reviewing the Digital Migration Regulations, ultimately shaping the future of broadcasting in South Africa.
The Digital Migration Regulations of 2012 were established to manage the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, a process known as digital migration.
Key aspects of these regulations include:
- Regulating the digital migration of existing television channels
- Prescribing conditions for channel capacity assignment
- Setting procedures for the authorisation of digital incentive channels
- Establishing time frames for dual illumination (simultaneous analogue and digital broadcasting)
The review of these regulations is a crucial step in assessing their efficacy and ensuring they align with the current broadcasting landscape in South Africa.
