On 15 May 2026, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published a notice regarding proposed amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015, and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations, 2010. These changes follow a comprehensive inquiry into the satellite services licensing framework and seek to accommodate growing demand for innovative satellite technologies.
Key Regulatory Proposals
The draft amendments introduce several critical updates that will affect satellite service providers and hardware manufacturers:
- Introduction of ESIM Framework: New procedures for the authorization and operation of Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM), including aeronautical, maritime, and land mobile terminals.
- Registration of Foreign Operators: Foreign satellite space segment operators would be required to register their systems with ICASA using a standardized form (Form F).
- Radio Astronomy Protection: Mandatory coordination with management authorities to prevent interference in protected geographic areas.
- Revised Fee Structures: Implementation of new formulas designed to incentivize the use of higher, less congested frequency bands (specifically 23 GHz to 50 GHz).
Technical and Compliance Impact
For manufacturers, these proposals highlight the necessity for equipment to comply with specific technical standards, such as ETSI EN 303 978. Additionally, eSIMs must be subject to permanent monitoring and control by a Network Control and Monitoring Center (NCMC), with the capability to act upon remote enable/disable commands. Non-compliance with the proposed satellite regulations could result in significant penalties of up to R5,000,000.
These changes are expected to influence R&D cycles and market entry strategies for companies looking to deploy satellite-connected devices in South Africa. Manufacturers should evaluate their current product roadmaps against these proposed technical parameters to ensure long-term business continuity.
Public Consultation Details
Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on these draft regulations. The deadline for representations to ICASA is 16:00 (South African Time) on 29 June 2026.
Eleos Compliance offer international RF, EMC, Safety and Green type approval services for radiocommunications products. Eleos Compliance are a sustainable, values-based business combining extensive experience in the wireless homologation sector with outstanding project management. For full support with your global market access requirements or regulatory intelligence needs please contact us at enquiries@eleoscompliance.com
