THE Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is forging ahead with plans to auction high-speed broadband spectrum licences despite Tuesday’s court bid by Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele to stop it in its tracks. The telecommunications regulator has, however, postponed the date of the auction from January to May 2017. It has also watered down the requirement that bidding companies have a 30% black ownership. This was because of a request from one of the operators to extend the deadline and for clarifications to be made to the invitation to apply, Icasa acting chairman Rubben Mohlaloga said on Monday. The postponement "has nothing to do whether or not we win or lose the case", he said. Icasa has already issued invitations to bidders to apply for the licences but made amendments to the invitation in a notice in the government gazette on Friday. The deadline for applications is now February 3 2017 instead of October 3 2016. Qualifying bidders wi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.