The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) hereby reminds all interested communities to respond to the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for pre-registration in respect of applications for Digital Community Television Broadcasting Service Licences and applications for Radio Frequency Spectrum on Multiplex 1 for purposes of providing digital community television broadcasting services.
The Notice was since issued on 10 March 2020 and the closing date for submissions is 04 November 2020 at 11h00.
Stakeholders are therefore informed that this is a pre-registration process that will culminate in the licensing of community television services and the issuing of the 15% maximum capacity on DTT Multiplex 1 per Province as indicated in the table below.
Further note that additional broadcasting service licences may be issued to community television broadcasting services to make up a 15% maximum capacity on DTT Multiplex 1 per Province where there is already assigned community broadcasting services in the Province.
Acting Chairperson of ICASA, Ms Palesa Kadi encouraged communities who intend applying for the licences to ensure compliance with all the requirements because that is the basis on which the assessment will be made.
“Compliance in the regulatory environment is a significant part of ICASA’s mandate, and we therefore urge stakeholders to read all the relevant documents, make sure that they understand them and submit the correct information. These include, among others, Community Broadcasting Services Regulations of 2019, Process and Procedure Regulations and this ITA,” says Kadi.
The evaluation criteria are clearly defined in the ITA; and some of the key requirements include the applicant submitting proof that it is a Non-Profit Organization that has been in operation for a period of two (2) years or more; and a further demonstration for community development and empowerment with respect to the community where the services will be rendered.
“It should be noted that the Authority reserves its right not to consider any application that do not meet the requirements as set out in this ITP-R or applicable legislations and regulations,” concludes Kadi.
The pre-registration notice can also be found on www.icasa.org.za/pages/invitations-to-apply