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country-profiles:south-africa [2019/05/07 12:12] otd_wikicountry-profiles:south-africa [2019/11/04 06:54] – [Cooperatives] kdiga
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 Telecommunications and internet policy in South Africa is governed by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-act | Electronic Communications Act of 2005]]. The act has undergone amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act | 2007]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]. Telecommunications and internet policy in South Africa is governed by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-act | Electronic Communications Act of 2005]]. The act has undergone amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act | 2007]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-amendment-act-0 | 2014]].
  
-The communications sector is government by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ([[https://www.icasa.org.za/ | ICASA]]).  ICASA was established in 2000 by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-act | Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act]] which underwent amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act | 2006]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]+The communications sector is regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ([[https://www.icasa.org.za/ | ICASA]]).  ICASA was established in 2000 by the [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-act | Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act]] which underwent amendments in [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act | 2006]] and [[https://www.gov.za/documents/independent-communications-authority-south-africa-amendment-act-0 | 2014]]
  
 +Telecommunications policy is set by what is now (June 2019) known as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), a merger of the [[https://www.doc.gov.za/content/about-us|Department of Communications]] (DOC) and the [[https://www.dtps.gov.za/|Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services]] (DTPS). DCDT's mission is to:
 +
 +<callout type="default">//create an enabling environment for the provision of inclusive communication services to all South Africans in a manner that promotes socio-economic development and investment through broadcasting, new media, print media and other new technologies, and to brand the country locally and internationally.//</callout>
 ===== Licensing Framework ===== ===== Licensing Framework =====
  
 +There are two main categories of service licence available under the ECA:
 +
 +  * Electronic Communications Network Service (ECNS) licences: These licences authorise the holder to roll out and operate a physical network. This network can be made up of any technology you choose: radio equipment (for a wireless network), copper cabling, fibre optic cabling etc. ECNS licensees can also enter into commercial arrangements with other licensees to allow them to use the electronic communications network owned and operated by the ECNS licensee.
 +  * Electronic Communications Service (ECS) licences: These licences allow you to provide services to customers over your own or somebody else’s network. This will typically be the licence held by an ISP which does not operate its own network or network facilities.
 +
 +Table: Licensing under the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005
  
 ^ Electronic communication services                  ^ Individual                                                                                                                                      ^  Class                                                                                                      ^                                                                                                                       License Exempt ^ ^ Electronic communication services                  ^ Individual                                                                                                                                      ^  Class                                                                                                      ^                                                                                                                       License Exempt ^
-| Electronic communications network services (ECNS)  | An iECNS license allows a company to deploy and operate a physical network at a provincial or national level                                    | Class ECNS license allows a company to deploy and operate a physical network at municipal or local level  | Option 1 - Non for profit  - maybe because the actual line needs to be longer\\ Option 2 - Reseller\\ Option 3 - Ancillary Services +| Electronic communications network services (ECNS)  | An iECNS license allows the holder to deploy and operate a physical network at a provincial or national level                                    | Class ECNS license allows the holder to deploy and operate a physical network a district or local municipality  | Option 1 - Non for profit  - maybe because the actual line needs to be longer\\ Option 2 - Reseller\\ Option 3 - Ancillary Services 
-| Electronic communications services (ECS)           An ECS license is required to deliver any kind of communication service. iECS corresponds with the iECNS license and covers the whole country A Class ECS license is a service license corresponding to the Class ECNS license                                                                                                                                                                 |+| Electronic communications services (ECS)           This licence allows the holder to provide services to customers over the network of an ECNS licensee, including voice or VoIP services which use numbers taken from the National Numbering Plan, nationwide or across a province. | This licence allows the holder to provide the same services as the Individual ECS licence, except for voice services requiring numbers from the National Numbering Plan, in a district or local municipality.                                                                                                                                                                 |
  
 https://www.icasa.org.za/pages/services-licencing https://www.icasa.org.za/pages/services-licencing
  
 https://www.itweb.co.za/content/3mYZRXv913xvOgA8 https://www.itweb.co.za/content/3mYZRXv913xvOgA8
 +
 +Individual ECNS and ECS licences are issued for an initial term of 20 years.  Class ECNS and ECS licences are issued for an initial term of 10 years. All of these licence types can be renewed prior to the expiration date, upon application to ICASA and payment of a renewal fee to ICASA.
 +
 +
  
 What kinds of operator licenses are there?  Unified?  Technology agnostic? What kinds of operator licenses are there?  Unified?  Technology agnostic?
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 What is the process for homologation / type approval? What is the process for homologation / type approval?
  
----- struct lookup ----+/* Please don't edit the following text. It automatically creates a table for the ISM bands. */ 
 +/* You can edit the values while not in editing mode by double-clicking on the fields  */ 
 +---- struct table ----
 schema: ismbands schema: ismbands
 filter: country = South Africa filter: country = South Africa
-cols: frequency, exempt, PtP-EIRP, AN-EIRP+cols: frequency, exempt, EIRP, Tx-Power, Notes 
 +csv: 0
 ---- ----
 +
 +All license-exempt wireless equipment requires homologation or type approval in order to be used legally in South Africa.  ICASA maintains a [[https://www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/rf-type-approved-equipment-2019-1st-quarter.pdf|list of type-approved license-exempt radio equipment]]. The current linked document is up-to-date as of Q1 2019.
  
 Rules for point to point links versus access networks? Rules for point to point links versus access networks?
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 ===== Backhaul ===== ===== Backhaul =====
 +South Africa has extensive fibre optic infrastructure including both national backbone networks and FTTH in many cities.  Backbone network operators include:
 +
 +  * [[http://www.dfafrica.co.za/|Dark Fibre Africa]] [[http://www.dfafrica.co.za/network/coverage/|network map]]
 +  * [[https://ww2.infraco.co.za/|Broadband Infraco]]
 +  * [[https://www.telkom.co.za|Telkom]] 
 +  * [[https://www.liquidtelecom.co.za|Liquid Telecom]] (formerly Neotel) [[https://www.liquidtelecom.com/about-us/network-map.html|network map]]
 +  * [[https://seacom.co.za/|Seacom]] formerly FibreCo [[https://seacom.co.za/network|network map]]
 +  * [[https://comsol.co.za/|Comsol]] [[https://comsol.co.za/coverage|network map]]
 +  * MTN
 +  * Vodacom
 +
 +
     * links to backhaul service providers     * links to backhaul service providers
     * Open Access policies     * Open Access policies
     * infrastructure sharing policy and regulation     * infrastructure sharing policy and regulation
 +
 +== Internet Exchange Points ==
 +^ IXP                                       ^ Point of Presence    ^ Operated By  ^ Hosted By           ^
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Johannesburg (JINX)  | ISPA         | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Cape Town (JINX)     | ISPA         | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://wiki.inx.net.za/|INX]]          | Durban (DINX)        | ISPA         | Teraco              |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Johannesburg         | Teraco       | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Cape Town            | Teraco       | Internet Solutions  |
 +| [[https://www.napafrica.net/|NapAfrica]]  | Durban               | Teraco       | Teraco              |
 +Source: http://www.whichvoip.co.za/blogpage/here-who-controls-internet-south-africa
  
 == Example == == Example ==
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 ===== Universal Service ===== ===== Universal Service =====
-  * Point to universal service policies and obligations. 
-  * Have Universal Services funds been used to support community networks?  How? 
  
-== Example == +South Africa has a [[http://www.usaasa.org.za/|Universal Service and Access Agency]] (USAASA) that manages a Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF).  In 2016, USAASA published a [[https://www.ellipsis.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/USAASA_2017-2021_Strategic_Plan.pdf|Strategic Plan for 2017-2021]].  In May of 2018, USAASA published [[https://www.ellipsis.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/USAASA_USAF_AAP_Presentation_2018_19.pdf|2018-2019 Annual Performance Plan]]  for presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services, a government oversight body. 
-  * link to illustrative country example+
  
 +The USAF was established under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) to fund projects and programmes that strive to achieve universal service and access to ICTs by all South African citizens.
 +
 +The USAF may provide subsidies for:
 +
 +  * Assistance of needy persons towards the cost of the provision to or the use by them of broadcasting and electronic communications services,
 +  * Financing the construction or extension of electronic communications networks in under-serviced areas,
 +  * The procurement of broadcasting and electronic communications network services and access to electronic communications networks for schools and further education and training institutions,
 +  * The establishment and operation of broadcasting services and the establishment and operation of, including training of and the payment of allowances to personnel of centres where access to electronic communications networks can be obtained.
 +
 +Unless exempted, all license holders are required to make contributions to the USAF.
 +
 +<callout type="question" icon="true">Remaining question.  Who is eligible to apply?</callout>
 ===== Cooperatives ===== ===== Cooperatives =====
 +
 +South Africa has some policy in support of cooperatives. 
 +1. The DTPS has the National e-Strategy: Digital Society South Africa (2017-2030) - https://www.dtps.gov.za/images/phocagallery/Popular_Topic_Pictures/National-e-strategy.pdf
 +
 +In this e-strategy, as part of their 9-point plan, it includes Number 6: "Unlocking the potential of small,
 +medium and micro enterprises, cooperatives and township enterprises"
 +
 +One of the specific interventions, the ICT SMME Development strategy was also Gazetted in 2017 -: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201711/41243gon1252.pdf
 +
 +In this ICT SMME Development strategy, it states that the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) requires the Department to support the development of cooperatives. On page 4: 
 +
 +"South African cooperatives are governed through the Cooperatives Act of 2005. The Act aims to create a legal and institutional framework that encourages the registration and development of cooperative enterprises and increased support for cooperatives from government agencies. The Act promote the ideals of self-help and social responsibility through the cooperative model. In countries like Italy and the United Kingdom, cooperatives have improved the sustainability of community enterprises and opened the economy to disadvantaged and vulnerable social groups".
 +
 +The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) would be involved: "The ICT SMME Development Sub-Committee will also feeds its activities and programme to the National Inter-Departmental Small Business & Cooperatives Coordination Committee, which is
 +chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). This structure coordinates SMME Development activities across all government departments." (page 51).
 +
 +One possible entry point via the ICT SMME Strategy Implementation Plan is the establishment of ISPs:
 +
 +"Establish 96 Internet Service Providers, prioritising youth/and women owned Internet Service Providers to widen participation of SMMEs in the ISP market" (page 52)
 +https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201711/41243gon1252.pdf
 +
 +
 +---------
 +TEMPLATE QUESTIONS: 
   * Does cooperative legislation exist?   * Does cooperative legislation exist?
   * Are there tax relief / incentives available for cooperatives?   * Are there tax relief / incentives available for cooperatives?