PRETORIA - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ("the Authority") will hold virtual public hearings in respect of the Discussion Document on Signal Distribution Services, in accordance with section 4(6) of the Electronic Communication Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005), as amended (ECA).

This follows the publication of the Notice of Intention to Conduct a Market Inquiry into Signal Distribution Services in South Africa by the Authority on 17 September 2021 in Government Gazette No. 45172.

The Authority subsequently published a Discussion Document on the Market Inquiry into Signal Distribution Services in South Africa on 22 April 2022, Government Gazette No. 46255.

The purpose of the inquiry is to assess the state of competition in the signal distribution market and to determine whether or not there are markets or market segments within the signal distribution services value chain that may warrant regulatory intervention in terms of section 67(4) of the ECA.

Signal distribution is an essential electronic communications network service that transports radio and television programs created by broadcasting licensees to the actual broadcast target area, allowing listeners and viewers to hear or watch those programs on radio or television.

“The hearings are an important step in the market inquiry process, this process is  expected to help the Authority better understand the competition dynamics and challenges in the signal distribution services markets, as highlighted by some stakeholders,” said Cllr Yolisa Kedama.

By the deadline of 29 June 2022, the Authority had received six (6) written submissions, from:  eMedia, MultiChoice, Primedia, Radio Pulpit, SABC and Sentech.

These submissions are available in non-confidential form on the Authority's website at https://www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/inquiries/signal-distribution-services.

The public hearings will take place virtually on 19 August 2022.

Interested stakeholders, media, and members of the public are invited to attend.

The public hearings will be held as follows:

Date: 19 August 2022

Venue: Virtual Hearing (Microsoft Teams)

Meeting Link: Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 375 909 635 435

Passcode: h3HFVX

Time: 08:00 – 17:00 (SAST)

The programme for the hearing will be as follows:

19 August 2022

Any enquiries in relation to this notice must be submitted in writing to Chairperson: Signal Distribution Council Committee at signaldistribution@icasa.org.za

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Media@icasa.org.za