Satellite Licensing Framework submissions

On 14 August 2024, the Authority published the consultation on the proposed New Licensing Framework for Satellite Services in Government Gazette No. 51044 (“Inquiry”) and stakeholders were expected to submit written representations by the 12^th November 2024.

The purpose of the Inquiry is to:

• Determine a regulatory and/or licensing framework for Satellite Services in South Africa;
• Determine the procedures that the Authority may implement for the provision of satellite services in South Africa;
• Determine procedures for authorising user terminals, IoT terminals, earth station user terminals communicating with space station while in motion (ESIM/ESV), and ground earth stations in the South African territory.
• Consider the need to review spectrum fees, taking also into account the increasing amount of bandwidth used by satellite systems operating in higher frequency bands.
• Determine procedures for registration of international satellite operators (including details of International Telecommunications Union (“ITU”) coordination status of the space segment) who intend to provide a service either directly or indirectly (through existing licensed operators) to South African consumers.