ICASA Updates Timelines for Affordability and OTT Market Inquiries

Posted 01 October 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Communications & Digital Technologies

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued a regulatory clarification following recent Government Gazette notices concerning two separate sector market inquiries.

In terms of the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005, read with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, No. 13 of 2000, the regulator conducts statutory market inquiries to evaluate competition and pricing dynamics across the telecommunications landscape.

ICASA confirmed the current procedural status of both matters:

  • Communications affordability inquiry: This inquiry is officially underway. ICASA has released an information-gathering questionnaire for completion and submission by stakeholders, with a deadline of 14 October 2026.
  • Over-the-top (OTT) services impact inquiry: Formal commencement has been deferred. ICASA indicated that this inquiry will be gazetted at a later date to provide greater regulatory context and structured guidance for public participation.

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

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; impact is primarily channeled through market pricing and institutional compliance frameworks.
  • For your business: Electronic communications network service (ECNS) and electronic communications service (ECS) licensees must assess the scope of the communications affordability questionnaire and calendar the 14 October submission timeline for regulatory compliance.
  • For your clients: Clients providing digital, VoIP, or content services should note the postponement of the OTT inquiry, but advise licensed telecoms operators to prepare financial and pricing data to respond to the active affordability questionnaire.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/communications-update-on-affordability-ott-services-impact-inquiries

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