Pretoria – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA/the Authority) will hold public hearings from 20 to 21 January 2021 in respect of the draft Digital Sound Broadcasting Services Regulations published on 13 November 2020.

The Authority received fifteen (15) submissions in respect of this process, thirteen (13) of which indicated their willingness to make oral representations when the Authority conducts public hearings.

The draft regulations were a culmination of an extensive public consultation process that dates back to March 2019 when the Authority first published its Findings and Position Paper on Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB). Other considerations include the Policy Directive issued by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies as well as the subsequent publication of the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audio-Visual Content Services Policy Framework last year.

“Digital sound broadcasting is not online streaming or broadband Internet broadcasting (webcasting). It is used to transmit sound broadcasting programmes (similarly to traditional FM band radio broadcasting services) but using a digital format and specific spectrum bands,” says ICASA Councillor, Adv. Dimakatso Qocha.

There are benefits and developmental goals for introducing DSB in South Africa, which include amongst others, additional channels, promoting investment and competition in the broadcasting sector, quality of service and universal access and service for all South Africans.

Members of the public and all interested stakeholders are free to join the public hearings using the link below.

Click here to join the meeting

Ends…

Schedule of hearings

DAY ONE: 20 January 2021

DAY ONE: 21 January 2021

For all media enquiries please contact:

Paseka Maleka

Tel : (012) 568 3455

Cell : 079 509 0702

Email : pmaleka@icasa.org.za