The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has reopened the submissions process for its inquiry into the impact of loadshedding on telecommunications operators in South Africa.
The reopening of submissions aims to afford all stakeholders adequate time to answer the series of questions and they now have until March 1 to provide written representations.
On December 1, the authority officially announced its intention to conduct an inquiry into the effects of loadshedding and the regulatory relief measures the authority may consider as it seeks to alleviate the impact of loadshedding in the electronic communications, broadcasting and postal sectors.
Stakeholders at the time had until February 8 to comment and those that had do not need to resubmit their comments, however, they can make new submissions, revise or supplement submissions already made, should they require.
The inquiry was launched following the termination of the National State of Disaster on the Impact of Severe Electricity Supply Constraints by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng on April 5, 2023.
In response, Icasa established a Council Committee to lead the assessment of the effects of ongoing disruptions to electricity supply on the information and communications technology sector, working closely with the affected stakeholders in the industry, and identifying potential regulatory interventions that fall within the authority's purview.
The establishment of the committee also followed the outcomes of an Icasa-led virtual consultation workshop, in response to the State of Disaster declaration, which highlighted several concerns from the stakeholders.
Initially declared on February 9, 2023, the State of Disaster was a necessary response to the impact of critical levels of loadshedding on the economy, with government adopting wide-ranging regulations which set out the responsibilities of the different organs of the State to mitigate the impact, prevent the escalation of electricity supply constraints and avert a national emergency.