ICASA looks to cancel licences

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) plans to cancel licences that are not traceable and/or active.

The authority made the announcement this morning, saying the move follows "a number of futile attempts" to trace the activities of these licensees.

The four licensees in question were granted electronic communications network service (ECNS) and electronic communications service (ECS) licences by ICASA up to 10 years ago, and have not submitted the obligatory reports or payments to the authority.

The companies are Inburru Technologies, Primetel, Netralink and Serram Systems (Serafim Pestana Dos Ramos). The former two were granted their licences in 2009, while the latter two were given theirs in 2005.

ICASA says the licensees in question have until 15 May at 4pm to inform the coordinator of the Complaints and Compliance Committee that they are in fact active as licensees. "They are to contact Lindisa Mabulu at lmabulu@icasa.org."

As a general rule, explains Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions, a licence or licence exemption is required whenever communications are carried from one point to another.

There are two main categories of service licence available under the Electronic Communications Act:

1. ECNS 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.

2. ECS licences allow the holder to provide services to customers over their own or somebody else's network. This will typically be the licence held by an Internet service provider that does not operate its own network or network facilities.