Latest news with #ICASA
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Dept. of Communications and Digital Technologies, ICASA appear in parliament
The portfolio committee on Communications and Digital Technologies will be briefed by the Department and ICASA on the 2024/25 3rd and 4th Quarter Performance and Financial Report. The SABC and Sentech will also brief on any amendments to the already considered 2025 - 2030 Strategic Plans and 2025 Annual Performance Plans.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Science
- Eyewitness News
Starlink satellite could pose disruptions to SA's radio telescopes
CAPE TOWN - Elon Musk's Starlink satellite, which will be launched in low orbit around Earth, could pose disruptions to South Africa's radio telescopes. The SpaceX satellite plans to bring faster connectivity to remote parts of South Africa. However, South African astronomers are raising concerns about the disruptions the satellite could cause to our highly sensitive telescopic equipment. READ: Starlink waits for go-ahead in South Africa, but ICASA hasn't received application Research associate at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, Dr Lerothodi Leeuw, said the space where the telescopes were located had strict protections to ensure no interferences occur. "The protection we have in place at the moment they don't apply internationally, such as in space, we don't control those low-orbiting satellites. So, the concern that was put forward is what if these low Earth orbiting satellites contribute and Starlink is not the only one, there's a whole bunch of them." Leeuw added that satellites crossing the telescope's path cause interruptions to their research. "So, just to give it a little bit of context. We know that our radio telescopes will get interference from artificial radio transmitters and from the ground, we take that so seriously that the area where the square kilometre radius is going to be in South Africa is a protected area against such interferences."
eNCA
01-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Service providers urged to follow proper channels
JOHANNESBURG - ICASA chairperson, Mothibi Ramusi, has urged telecommunication service providers to use the correct channels when applying for certification. This comes on the back of reports that some South Africans are illegally using Starlink services. The authority has also sent out its teams to conduct physical verifications in the affected areas. Starlink, an American service provider is not authorised or licensed to operate in the country. The satellite internet provider is owned by South African born billionaire, Elon Musk. The tech mogul wants to bring Starlink to SA but faces a major hurdle because of ownership. By law, every national network infrastructure and communications service provider must be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Starlink under scrutiny: Minister Malatsi backs ICASA's probe into unauthorised services
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi. Image: X / IOLGraphics Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has thrown his weight behind the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to investigate Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, for allegedly operating in the country without authorisation. This development comes after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) alleged that Starlink was offering its services in South Africa without a licence. ICASA confirmed that the organisation had launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in South Africa. ICASA spokesperson, Milly Matlou, said: 'ICASA has launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in SA. We have also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and have currently deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further.' If found guilty, the company could face enforcement actions, including fines or even a ban on its operations in the country. 'Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal, which may include, among others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),' Matlou said. The MKP alleged that Starlink was operating in South Africa without authorisation, using a shadow entity called "ICASAsePUSH" to masquerade its operations. The party claimed that this operation constitutes a 'blatant' violation of South African telecommunications law and represents a direct affront to the country's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework. The party launched its allegations during the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. 'During that session, the MK Party directly challenged the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies regarding his awareness of this operation. His professed ignorance was not only unacceptable but deeply troubling,' party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. Malatsi has expressed his full support for ICASA's investigation, stating that it is the regulator's responsibility to manage both licence applications and investigations. 'The minister was made aware of the allegations when they were raised in the portfolio committee on Tuesday. It is now ICASA's responsibility to investigate these allegations, and the minister fully supports this investigation,' Malatsi's spokesperson, Kwena Moloto, said. This will be the second time the authority investigates Starlink's dealings. In 2023, ICASA issued a notice, warning that it was illegal for anyone or company to use Starlink, as it doesn't hold a licence to operate in the country. Meanwhile, during the session on Tuesday, Malatsi defended his recently gazetted proposed ICT policy adjustments, saying that it was intended to attract investment into the sector. He said it was not a way to allow Elon Musk to operate in South Africa. 'We are not attempting to open a new dispensation for Starlink or any other company or individual,' he told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communication. 'We are saying that the regulations in our sector must consistently make provisions for the two choices that exist in any other sector,' Malatsi said after his department on Friday gazetted a proposed policy direction to the ICASA. Cape Argus
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Icasa could clip Starlink's wings if found to be operating illegally
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has defended ICT policy, denied special treatment for Starlink, and stressed the need to align sector regulations with transformation laws through equity equivalent investment options. Image: X / IOLGraphics Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink could be slapped with fines or even a ban on its operations if found to be offering services without authorisation in the country. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) confirmed that the organisation had launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in South Africa. This comes after the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) alleged that Starlink was offering its services in South Africa without a licence. ICASA has also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and has deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further. ICASA spokesperson Milly Matlou said: 'ICASA has launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful use and provision of Starlink services in SA. We have also engaged SpaceX for further clarity and have currently deployed inspection teams on the ground to investigate the matter further.' According to ICASA, its investigation will determine whether Starlink has indeed breached South African laws and regulations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading If found guilty, the company could face enforcement actions, including fines or even a ban on its operations in the country. 'Should the investigation yield any breach with regulatory and legislative frameworks, the Authority will explore the applicable enforcement actions within its disposal, which may include, among others, lodging a formal complaint with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),' Matlou said. 'To this end, ICASA has published a general notice under Government Gazette no 49777 reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services within South Africa are required to comply fully with the applicable legislative and regulatory frameworks.' The MKP alleged that Starlink was operating in South Africa without authorisation, using a shadow entity called "ICASAsePUSH" to masquerade its operations. The party claimed that this constitutes a 'blatant' violation of South African telecommunications law and represents a direct affront to the country's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework. The party made the allegations during the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. 'During that session, the MK Party directly challenged the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies regarding his awareness of this operation. His professed ignorance was not only unacceptable but deeply troubling,' spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. 'The MK Party will not tolerate the erosion of our legal framework by foreign profiteers or their local enablers. We categorically reject any attempt to circumvent B-BBEE laws under the guise of innovation or foreign investment.' Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has expressed his full support for ICASA's investigation, stating that it is the regulator's responsibility to manage both license applications and investigations. This will be the second time the ICASA investigates Starlink's dealings. In 2023, ICASA issued a notice, warning that it was illegal for anyone or company to use Starlink, as it doesn't hold a license to operate in the country. Cape Times
