Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12-2026] Published for Comment

Posted 29 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Regulatory

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has published the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12—2026], inviting stakeholders and interested parties to submit written representations on the proposed legislative reforms.

In terms of the legislative processes of Parliament, the Portfolio Committee has introduced the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12—2026] to amend the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005. The proposed amendments aim to address high data costs, enhance market competition, and streamline infrastructure rollouts across South Africa.

The Bill introduces several critical regulatory interventions designed to restructure the telecommunications landscape:

  • Spectrum Sharing: Introduction of a “use it or share it” rule to prevent the hoarding of high-demand spectrum and encourage efficient usage.
  • Rapid Deployment: Standardisation of wayleaves to accelerate the deployment of electronic communications infrastructure.
  • MVNO Access: Mandated access to Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services to lower entry barriers for smaller service providers.
  • Regulatory Jurisdiction: Explicit concurrent jurisdiction granted to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the Competition Commission to regulate competition issues in the telecommunications sector.

Click here to download the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12—2026].

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; however, professionals should monitor the progress of the Bill to understand future shifts in digital connectivity costs and infrastructure access.
  • For your business: Professional firms, particularly those advising telecommunications clients or relying heavily on high-speed digital infrastructure, must assess how the standardized wayleaves and spectrum sharing rules will impact their operational planning and digital strategy.
  • For your clients: Clients operating in the telecommunications, technology, and internet service provider sectors must review the proposed concurrent jurisdiction of ICASA and the Competition Commission, and prepare to submit written comments on the Bill to safeguard their commercial spectrum and infrastructure interests.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/sa-government-electronic-communications-amendment-bill

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