Primary briefing · Gazette
high impact 55175 · 4091 · 2026-08-11
ICASA Notice 4091 — Oral hearings on draft spectrum and satellite fee amendments
ICASA has scheduled hybrid oral public hearings for 19–20 August 2026 on its draft amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015, and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations, 2010 (originally published on 15 May 2026 in Government Gazette No. 54677 under Notices 3927 and 3926). The draft amendments introduce a registration regime for satellite space segment operators, revised spectrum fee formulas with direct financial implications for licence holders, blanket licensing for satellite terminal networks, protection measures for radio astronomy facilities, and regulations governing Satellite Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM). Only stakeholders who submitted written comments and indicated their intention to participate may make oral representations at the hearings.
Who is affected
Telecommunications operators and spectrum licence holdersSatellite space segment operators and satellite terminal network providersInternet service providers reliant on spectrum licencesBroadcasters holding radio frequency spectrum licencesRadio astronomy facilitiesRegulatory and telecommunications law practitioners What this means for practitioners
Stakeholders who submitted written comments and indicated intention to participate must prepare oral representations for the 19–20 August 2026 hearings at the ICASA Auditorium, Eco Point Park, Centurion (09h00 SAST).
Spectrum licence holders should assess the revised fee formulas in the draft amendments (Gazette No. 54677, Notices 3926 and 3927) for potential financial impact.
Satellite operators should review the proposed registration regime and blanket licensing framework for satellite terminal networks.
Check the ICASA website (www.icasa.org.za/pages/satellite-licensing-framework-submissions) for the hearing programme schedule and written representations received.