Public hearings today for proposed ICASA regulations

Today, 15 May 2013, ICASA will be holding public hearings on the Draft Promotion of Diversity and Competition Regulations, which were published in December 2012. Having received seven submissions from interested parties, each party will be afforded an opportunity to speak.

The purpose of the regulations is to:

promote diversity and competition on digital terrestrial television (DTT)
explore the use of the second mobile television multiplex as a third DTT multiplex during the dual illumination period to accommodate new subscription, free-to-air commercial and community television broadcasting services
stimulate the uptake of DTT services, foster content and enhance consumer choice

This is in response to the Minister of Communications' Amended Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy of 17 February 2012. This directs ICASA 'to explore how best to introduce new services and licensees to facilitate such diversity; and that the increased capacity and spectrum availability on DTT provides an opportunity for the licensing of new pay TV services in the short term, and new free to air services in the medium to long term'.

The public hearings will be held at Pinmill Farm, 164 Katherine Street, Sandton from 8.30am to 3.30pm.