South Africa, Aug. 13 -- Between April and July 2026, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (the DCDT) published the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, 2026 (the ECAB) and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) published a series of draft and final notices in the Government Gazette that, together, reset or propose to reset the rules for mobile, satellite and innovative shared-access spectrum use.

Timeline of legislative and regulatory developments

Written representations on the draft RFSAPs and feasibility studies are due by 4 pm on 4 September 2026.

What is actually changing?

A proposed legislative backstop for unused spectrum

The ECAB, if passed as is, would change the law to int...