The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has initiated a consultation on a new licensing framework for satellite services in the country. This move aims to establish regulatory and licensing procedures for satellite services, including authorizing user terminals, IoT terminals, and ground earth stations within South African territory.
The inquiry will also address the need to review spectrum fees in consideration of the increasing bandwidth used by satellite systems operating in higher frequency bands.
In a related development, Vodacom filed a lawsuit in May 2024 to prevent MTN from using the high-demand spectrum (HDS) obtained from ICASA in June 2022. The lawsuit alleges that the authority unlawfully approved spectrum pooling agreements, giving MTN an unfair advantage and stifling competition.
Additionally, the inquiry seeks to establish procedures for registering international satellite operators intending to provide services to South African consumers. Starlink is operational in South Africa despite awaiting official approval and raising concerns about the unauthorized use of its roaming service.
The inquiry focuses on Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), and Broadcasting Satellite Services (BSS). It excludes satellite services related to radio navigation, amateur use, earth exploration, or space research.
Moreover, South Africa’s communications minister, Mondli Gungubele, announced a new “use-it-or-lose-it” policy in June 2024 to prevent companies from stockpiling valuable radio spectrum.
