Starlink and South Africa: No exceptions in telecom regulation reform

THE Association of Comms and Technology (ACT) has welcomed the recent directives from the Minister of Communication, Solly Malatsi regarding the alignment of ICASA's empowerment regulations with the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code.

- ASHLEY LECHMAN

On Tuesday, Malatsi appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies to justify his directive, which seeks to “align” the Electronic Communications Act and the ICT Sector Code.

"This policy development, coupled with a proposed inquiry into the necessity of I-ECNS licence applications, marks a pivotal moment for South Africa's telecommunications sector, potentially reshaping the landscape of competition and transformation," ACT said in a statement.

As the industry stands on the brink of significant regulatory reforms, ACT said it urges that these changes be implemented with transparency, consistency, and equitable enforcement of the law.