The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has warned companies that they will be reported to the authority’s complaints and compliance committee if they are found to be leasing telecommunications licences that have been issued to them to other market players.
The warning is contained in a notice in the Government Gazette, published last week and signed by Icasa chairman Stephen Mcnube, in which the authority claims that the practice has become “widespread” and involves both companies that have network licences and those with service licences, known as ECNS and ECS licences respectively.
“The authority considers the leasing of licences as a contravention of … of the Electronic Communications Act,” it says, adding that the practice by ECNS and ECS licence holders to lease their licences is “prohibited in terms of the act”.
“Any licensee found to be in contravention of its licence terms and conditions will be referred to the complaints and compliance committee.” — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media