South Africa’s media and communications regulator ICASA has granted a commercial free-to-air TV license to Kwesé Free TV. The regulator said that Kwesé Free TV’s service complied with the appropriate South African laws and met a market need. It also judged that the outfit’s business plan and means of financial support were adequate and that [...]
Following Icasa recent inquiry into subscription of TV broadcasting services where findings highlight ways to improve competition and lower subscription prices in the pay-TV market, the pay TV market inquiry and sports broadcasting regulations both pose a risk for MultiChoice, as the company’s DStv and SuperSport brands often acquire exclusive broadcasting rights to major sporting [...]
South African people will be able to enjoy a new free-to-air terrestrial television service offering five free channels to viewers, comprising of a dedicated 24-hour sports channel. Kwesé Free TV, which is 20% own by Econet Group (the parent of Liquid Telecom), is the first free-to-air terrestrial broadcaster to be licensed since e.tv received its [...]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has announced a number of recommendations regarding access to televised high-profile sporting events, which are only available via to pay-TV subscribers. South African broadcaster MultiChoice currently holds a vast array of sports rights across its Super Sports channels, including soccer, rugby union and cricket, which are carried [...]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is set to start public hearings on the process of awarding a commercial free-to-air television licence on Thursday. The regulator said it would be looking into applications from Kwese Free TV, Tshwaranang Media, Infinity Media Networks and Free To Air TV. The process follows an unsuccessful round [...]
In South Africa, start-up AfriCanopy plans to deploy high-speed, low-cost internet in rural communities using the white space of television. These are waves reserved for television channels, but which are ultimately not used. The first tests of the project will be carried out in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. AfriCanopy said the Independent Communications Authority of [...]
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) confirmed that the news channel Vila Kasi does not have the license to broadcast. The news fell as Mzwanele Manyi’s newspaper, Afro Voice, formerly known as the Gupta-owned New Age, is undergoing liquidation, placing dozens of journalists and other staff in limbo. Channon Merricks, who refers to himself [...]
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is taking the lead with its plans to open up the pay-TV market amid objections by MultiChoice, the dominant pay-TV operator in the country. In May, the communications regulator held oral hearings in an inquiry about subscription television broadcasting services. In a bid to break the monopoly on [...]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is assisting the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF) in hosting the 5th Annual 5G Huddle to be held for the first time in the Southern hemisphere. The 5G Huddle will be held in Durban from 29 to 30 May 2018 at the Garden Court, Marine Parade. The WWRF [...]
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, DSA, congratulates the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, ICASA, for publishing its regulations on the use of Television White Space, TVWS. Marking a huge step forward for South Africa in enabling affordable broadband through dynamic spectrum access technologies, the achievement highlights the progress in the adoption of TVWS regulations around [...]
