ICASA hearings on Universal Service and Access Fund contributions

14 Feb 2008

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will hold public hearings on Draft Regulations in respect of the prescribed annual contributions by the licensees to the Universal Service and Access Fund. The hearings follow the publication of the Draft Regulations in which ICASA invited interested parties, stakeholders, and the public to submit written representations and submissions.

The Draft Regulations constitute a review of earlier regulations that were published in 2003 in terms of the repealed Telecommunications Act of 1996. They also seek to provide for the contribution by broadcasters to the fund in terms of section 89 of the ECA.

When finalised, the regulations will prescribe the annual contributions to the Universal Service and Access Fund by the holders of licensees issued in terms of Chapter 3 of the Electronic Communications Act, and further specify the date when such contributions become payable and the manner in which they may be paid.

The hearings will run 12 – 14 March 2008 as per the following schedule:

Venue: Block C Presentation Room
164 Katherine Street
Pinmill Farm
Sandton, Johannesburg.

Date	Company/Organisation	Time
12 March 2008	USAASA	8.45am-9.45am
	MDDA	9.45am-10.45am
	Tea break	10.45am-11am
	Telkom	11am-12 noon
	Neotel	12 noon-1pm
	Lunch break	1pm-2pm
	Vodacom	2pm-3pm
	MTN	3pm-4pm
13 March 2008	Cell C	8.45am-9.45am
	IS	9.45am-10.45am
	Tea break	10.45am-10.55am
	ISPA	10.55am-11.55am
	Transnet	11.55am-12.55pm
	Lunch break	12.55pm-1.30pm
	Sentech	1.30pm -2.30pm
	NAB	2.30pm -3.30pm
	SACF	3.30pm -4.30pm
14 March 2008	AME	8.45am-9.45am
	MultiChoice, MNet and Orbicom	9.45am-10.45am
	Tea break	10.45am-11am
	Telkom Media	11am-12 noon
	On Digital	12 noon-1pm
	Lunch break	1pm-2pm
	e.tv	2pm-3pm
	YFM	3pm-4pm