Pretoria- The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has extended the submission deadline for written responses to the Inquiry on new I-ECNS Licences to 16 February 2026, after receiving and considering requests from stakeholders to extend the deadline.

On 25 November 2025, ICASA published a Notice of intention to conduct an Inquiry into new I-ECNS licences in Government Notice No. 53719. Interested stakeholders were invited to provide responses to the questionnaire within forty-five (45) working days after the publication of the Notice, with the original closing date being no later than 02 February 2026.

This Inquiry is the first of its kind since the 2005 enactment of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and the Altech Autopage Cellular (Pty) Ltd judgement, which resulted in the conversion of all value-added network services licences (VANS) to I-ECNS and I-ECS licences under the ECA.

“It is therefore important that all responses to this Inquiry are detailed and comprehensive, as they will inform the Authority’s assessment on the demand, need, and potential impact of issuing new I-ECNS and I-ECS licences”, said Cllr Nompucuko Nontombana, Chairperson of the I-ECNS Inquiry Council Committee.

For further inquiries, stakeholders may contact Mr Pascalis Adams on 012 568 4085 or at padams@icasa.org.za.

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