The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) will make a decision tomorrow on how to proceed with troubled pay-TV start-up Super5Media.
In October, the authority said it would hold public hearings to help it decide whether it should grant the broadcaster a fourth extension on its licence.
“Soon after the authority made this decision, Super5 amended their application for extension. They still want an extension, but just amended the application,” said ICASA spokesperson Paseka Maleka.
He added that no detail can be given on what or which part of the application was amended, because it's confidential.
“The council is meeting tomorrow and this matter is on their agenda. So the matter has gone back to council for further deliberation.”
Maleka said the council will make a decision on whether to move forward with the public consultation, when to begin the process, or if a different direction should be taken.
No word
ICASA received a letter from Super5 on 2 August requesting an extension for a further six months.
The broadcaster was initially set to become operational in June last year, but applied to ICASA for an extension to September 2010.
In September, Super5Media requested another extension, based on the reasoning that its application for an Individual-Electronic Communications Network Service licence to self-provide had yet to be finalised by the authority.
Super5Media intends to provide its own signal distribution for its pay-TV service.
In March, the company was granted another six-month extension by the authority. There was no word from the company on why it needed the extra time.
This pushed its go-live date to around September this year, but this did not materialise.
No punishment
The authority previously said the latest application for extension by Super5 was neither granted nor refused.
“Let's hear what the public says. As ICASA, we want to communicate. We are just a catalyst and cannot act on our verdict alone,” said ICASA chairman Stephen Mncube.
No dates for the hearing were set.
“We are not trying to punish people, but we don't just give licences for giving licences.”
He explained that applying for the licence was supposed to have meant Super5 had all its plans in place and solid financing.
“If you just write a beautiful proposal and don't have your ducks in a row, it denies the opportunity to others who want the licence.”
ITWeb was unable to contact Super5Media for comment at the time of publication.
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