Communications Dept issues gazette to review B-BBEE licensing requirements for satellite service companies
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has issued a gazette to review B-BBEE licensing requirements for satellite service companies.
In a statement, Minister Solly Malatsi said that this was in line with government's efforts to attract foreign investment.
The announcement comes just days after US President Donald Trump met with President Cyril Ramaphosa to try and reset bilateral relations.
Malatsi said the current regulations did not allow many companies that can contribute to the country's transformation goals to qualify for individual licenses under the Electronic Act.
"Currently, the rules around who can acquire a licence to provide electronic communications services or to operate an electronic communications network require a minimum of 30% shares to be in the hands of historically disadvantaged individuals.
"EEIPs, provided for under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act 53 of 2003) and the ICT Sector Code, allow qualifying multinationals to meet empowerment obligations through alternatives to 30% ownership — such as investing in local suppliers, enterprise and skills development, job creation, infrastructure support, research and innovation, digital inclusion initiatives, and funding for SMMEs."
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