Pretoria – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has taken a decision to award Kwesé Free TV an Individual Commercial Free-To-Air Television Broadcasting Licence and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence i.e. 55% of MUX3 frequencies. The award of the licence follows Kwesé Free TV’s full compliance with the requirements of the Invitation To Apply (ITA) issued in February 2017.
“Broadcasting services play a crucial role in deepening our democracy, by, among other things, providing a platform for the expression of multiple views and strengthening social cohesion as well as giving a voice to various sections of the population,” said Councillor Dimakatso Qocha during the announcement of the successful applicant.
In coming to the decision whether to grant or refuse a licence, the Authority considered various criteria set out in the legislation and the published ITA as well as the provisions of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
The considerations for this licensing process include the following:
- Compliance with the ECA
- Compliance with the requirements of the ITA
- Market research: Demand, Need and Support of the proposed service
- Viability of the business plan and financial means of the Applicant; and
- Capability, expertise and experience of the Applicant and its employees in business in general and in broadcasting in particular.
The licensing of an additional individual commercial free-to-air television broadcasting service and related spectrum will stimulate competition and increase the variety of television broadcasting services available to South Africans. “It is our duty as the regulator to ensure that we promote competition in the sector which we regulate; and are driven by our consumer protection mandate which encourages us to ensure that South Africans have access to a wide range of communication services,'"concludes Councillor Qocha.
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