30/06/2025
South Africans will have to wait a long time before the government implements new regulations allowing equity equivalents so that players like Starlink can launch in the country.
Dominic Cull, the owner of Ellipsis regulatory solutions, told MyBroadband the government would need 12 to 18 months to finalise the relevant amendments. However, he cautioned that litigation could delay it.
The first step is for communications minister Solly Malatsi to finalise his draft policy direction before he can submit a final policy direction to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
“The deadline for comments is next week, and thereafter the Minister will need to consider the submissions made, consult with government, and publish a final policy direction to Icasa,” said Cull.
“Estimate for this is six to nine months, but with the application of some political will, it could be done in four to six months.”
Once Malatsi publishes the final policy direction, the focus will shift to the communications regulator. Icasa will have to consider what Malatsi is asking it to do and decide whether to proceed.
“Assuming Icasa agrees to open up a process to amend its regulatory framework on control, ownership, and transformation, then it will need to set up its internal structures and decide on a process to follow,” said Cull.
Then it can launch the process and publish draft regulations for comment. Icasa will also need to host public hearings before finalising the amendments.
“The estimate for this is 12 to 18 months. There is a lot of scope for this process to be delayed by litigation,” said Cull.
