PRETORIA - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published Draft Regulations on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communication Networks and Facilities for public comments.

These Draft Regulations are published in terms of Section 4 of the Electronic Communications Act. The closing date for public comments is 25 May 2026 at 16h00.

The Draft Regulations are intended to provide a clear, transparent and uniform regulatory framework that will facilitate the efficient rapid deployment of electronic communications infrastructure across South Africa, while ensuring procedural fairness and lawful engagement by ICASA’s licensees with affected parties such as landowners and rural communities. The draft regulations aligned to the 2023 National Policy on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Networks and Facilities and are

These proposed Regulations set out procedures and processes for obtaining permits and approvals, define the rights and obligations of licensees, establish rules for access to public and private property and introduce mechanisms for compensation and dispute resolution.

They further provide for the development and maintenance of a national Geographic Information System (GIS) database to support planning and infrastructure sharing.

“South Africa’s digital future depends on the rapid and orderly rollout of electronic communications networks and facilities. These Draft Regulations seek to support the urgent need to expand broadband and digital connectivity. They are intended to remove unnecessary delays while ensuring that deployment takes place in a lawful, consultative, and socially responsible manner. Further, the national infrastructure database once established, will be a powerful tool for planning and tracking the national rollout of broadband infrastructure as envisaged by the SA Connect said Councillor Catherine Mushi, Chairperson of the Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communication Networks and Facilities Committee.