March 2013 deadline for ECA amendments

Added by Audra Mahlong on February 28, 2012.
Saved under E-Government, Featured

March 2013 has been set as the deadline for the tabling of amendments to the Electronic Communications Bill in Parliament.

According to the recent budget statement of the Department of Communications (DOC), the proposed amendment Bill would be tabled once public consultation processes were completed.

In November 2011, Communications minister, Dina Pule, withdrew the draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill to allow for proper consultation within government and all relevant stakeholders.

Earlier this year, Pule, also highlighted the importance of the Bill – revealing that it would be released for public comment in the first quarter of 2012.

The amendment Bill aims to clarify and strengthen the role and power of the minister and regulatory body, ICASA. The document also proposes changes to consultative processes; makes provision for policy on ownership and control; refines licensing issues; improves competition provisions and aims to remove regulatory bottlenecks.

Also to be tabled in Parliament by March 2013 are the ICASA amendment Bill and the Post and Telecommunications related matters amendment Bill.

A draft ICASA amendment Bill was published for comment in June 2010. The Bill aimed to improve turnaround times; establish as tariff advisory council; improve the functioning of the complaints and compliance committee while defining functions and executive positions. - www.sabinetlaw.co.za