StarSat, operated by OnDigital Media (ODM), confirms that earlier today, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), accompanied by the South African Police Service (SAPS), entered its Midrand offices and disconnected services.
During this process, not only were ODM’s services impacted but also those of StarTimes Media’s pan-African broadcast.
As the service provider to ODM and a subsidiary of the larger StarTimes Group, StarTimes Media holds a valid individual electronics communication network service (ECNS) licence for transmissions across Africa.
“While we acknowledge ICASA’s mandate to shut down ODM’s South African services, we are appalled by the manner in which ICASA disregarded ODM’s reasonable initial request for a discussion regarding which equipment should be removed, should the execution order be carried out,” the company said.
“Instead, ICASA opted to remove all equipment, including that belonging to StarTimes Media, which has adversely affected its pan-African broadcast services. This disconnection is highly concerning as it affects legitimate operations under this licence.
“While ODM acknowledges an ongoing dispute, it strongly contests the disconnection of a valid StarTimes Media connection, which it believes to be unlawful.
“ODM is exploring all legal avenues to resolve this issue swiftly and restore services. The company’s legal representatives have urgently approached the courts and will continue to keep all stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the media, informed as the situation progresses.”
On Digital Media (ODM), the operator behind StarSat and the South African branch of StarTimes Media, will exit the subscription television market as its broadcasting license has not been renewed.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) announced that ODM’s 15-year Individual Broadcasting Service Licence, which expired on 8 July 2023, was not renewed after ODM failed to submit a renewal application on time. According to the Electronic Communications Act, applications must be submitted no earlier than 12 months and no later than six months before the license expires. Despite multiple reminders, ODM only submitted its application on 10 November 2023, after the expiry date, making it ineligible for consideration.
However, ICASA has invoked Section 15(2) of the Electronic Communications Act, allowing ODM to continue operating temporarily to wind up its affairs and protect subscribers. ODM was asked to provide a timeline for winding up and a communication plan for informing subscribers but failed to respond.
As a result, ICASA has mandated that ODM must cease its broadcasting services by 18 September 2024 and notify subscribers accordingly. The regulator emphasizes the importance of adhering to renewal processes to ensure the continuity of communication services, which are essential for social cohesion, economic growth, and the dissemination of information and entertainment.
3 Comments
Starsat was supposed to inform us as a customer I paid my subscription today they except the payment instead of to reject it this is not good at all
Why did yourl not infirm the customers cause we paid for the month
I have done pay for starset but it’s not responding is not working so I loose my money