The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has officially extended the deadline for written submissions to its Inquiry on new Individual-Electronic Communications Network Services (I-ECNS) licences. Stakeholders now have until 16 February 2026 to submit their responses, following considered requests for additional time.
I-ECNS Licence: An Individual Electronic Communications Network Service licence allows the holder to build and operate a physical network (e.g., fibre, wireless) for providing communications services to the public.
The Inquiry, launched via Government Notice No. 53719 on 25 November 2025, represents a landmark review. It is the first comprehensive assessment since the pivotal 2008 Altech Autopage Cellular judgement and the 2005 Electronic Communications Act (ECA), which transformed the licensing landscape by converting Value-Added Network Services (VANS) licences to I-ECNS and I-ECS categories.
The original 45-working day comment period, set to conclude on 2 February 2026, has been pushed forward by two weeks to ensure robust participation. This Inquiry seeks to critically analyse the current and future demand, necessity, and potential market impact of issuing new I-ECNS and Individual Electronic Communications Services (I-ECS) licences.
Councillor Nompucuko Nontombana, Chairperson of the I-ECNS Inquiry Council Committee, emphasised the significance of the process: “This is a foundational review that will shape the future of electronic communications licensing in South Africa. We urge all stakeholders to provide detailed and comprehensive responses. The quality of this input is paramount, as it will directly inform the Authority’s assessment and subsequent recommendations.”
The Authority encourages all interested parties, including current licensees, potential new entrants, industry associations, and consumer bodies, to utilise the extended timeframe to prepare thorough submissions. The findings of this Inquiry are expected to guide ICASA’s policy direction on licensing in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
