ISPA Welcomes New Board, Thanks Outgoing Members for Stellar Contribution

Following its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) and fourth quarter board meeting, ISPA has unveiled its new Board line-up for the next three years.

South Africa’s official internet industry body (IRB) firstly extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to outgoing Board members Cheryl Dinkelmann, Gideon le Grange and André van der Walt. Their tenure as ISPA Board members leaves the internet in South Africa stronger.

ISPA simultaneously congratulates Ntokozo Mbonani and Doreen Mokoena who are joining the ISPA Board for the first time. ISPA looks forward to new ideas and fresh perspectives over the coming term.

Dave Gale, Jerry Maleka and Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were reelected to further Board terms.

Sasha Booth-Beharilal returns as ISPA chairperson, backed by Enzio von Diest as deputy chairperson.

ISPA recently called for nominations to the ISPA NPC (non-profit company) Board for the three-year term of 2025 up to and including 2027.

The new Board members are elected to serve a three (3) year term. Board members are eligible to serve for a maximum of six (6) consecutive years, and then become ineligible for further reappointment until one (1) year has passed.

ISPA’s counsel and informed advice regarding creating a world-class Information and Communications Technology (ICT) framework for South Africa are taken seriously by the country’s decision-makers. This is largely due to the deep trove of sector knowledge that exists within the ISPA. ISPA’s Board acquires and distills this knowledge through working groups, industry feedback, industry partners and various other entities. With this in mind, ISPA welcomes the 2025 members as they serve as the guiding hand that moves ISPA and the SA internet forward.

For information on each ISPA Board member, please see: https://ispa.org.za/about-ispa/officebearers/

ISPA has nearly three decades of experience in helping to reduce the cost to communicate in fixed data markets. In 2025 and beyond, ISPA will apply lessons learnt to the mobile data market on which the majority of South Africans rely for connectivity. In particular, ISPA’s new Board will seek to grow its membership base amongst Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) who are, in reality, a form of Internet Service Provider (ISP).

ISPA remains one of the country’s biggest representative bodies, made up of both Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Networks Service (ECNS) licensees.

Founded in 1996 as the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa, ISPA is the only internet IRB officially recognised by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) in the country. ISPA advocates for an open, free, and competitive internet landscape and represents a diverse group of over 230 internet organisations.

Lock Down the Mobile Web This Summer

South Africans familiar with securing mobile devices should also secure their mobile internet access these holidays.

That’s the word from ISPA, SA’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB), which says the ability of mobile devices to connect to the internet from new places while on holiday must be managed for a safe festive period.

No stranger should be able to pick up a device to steal identities or get instant access to personal data. To prevent unauthorised device access, all mobile devices taken on holiday should have PINs, passphrases or biometric security activated.

“Restricting unauthorised access in unfamiliar places will ensure the peace of mind we all seek on holiday,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, ISPA chair.

“Because tourists remain prime targets for criminals and mobile devices are often used to validate identities, vacationing mobile users must secure their network data and their devices to protect their identity,” adds Ms Booth-Beharilal.

It’s also important to be aware of critical notifications, in real-time. Make sure all necessary notifications are set, complete with tones or vibration, so important financial transactions are never missed.

Users should always be vigilant and react quickly to events requiring their attention because criminals often base their attacks around social behaviour. For example, one common attack vector sees cybercriminals contacting fraud targets using One Time Passwords (OTPs) as the purported reason.

As users move out of their daily routines, they should be aware of using Wi-Fi internet access that isn’t their own. The best precaution is to use a VPN (virtual private network) service or to not engage in sensitive transactions using public internet access.

Finally, parents and guardians should never underestimate the ability of children to correctly guess PIN codes.

Use unique and unpredictable security credentials that adhere to best practice. Do not use family birth years as PINs. Password managers are a useful tool and help users create strong and unique passwords which limit the risk of any service they use being compromised.

Founded in 1996 Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa, ISPA is the only internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) officially recognised by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) in the country. ISPA advocates for an open, free, and competitive internet landscape and represents a diverse group of over 200 internet organisations.

Check out ISPA’s Cyber Safety Resources page here: https://ispa.org.za/safety/.

ISPA Releases Latest Recommendations to Boost Fibre Internet Service Levels

South Africa’s fibre internet consumers will experience smoother line transfers if service providers adopt recommendations in the latest version of ISPA’s ‘Fibre Network Operator (FNO) and Internet Service Provider (ISP) Best Practice Recommendations’ document. Currently, some FNOs and ISPs handle line transfers well, but others are not paying attention.

High-speed broadband is increasingly delivered to internet consumers across fibre optic cables or ‘lines’ connecting homes and businesses. ISPs provide the services that enable consumers to access the internet via these lines. This fibre line will sometimes need to switch from one ISP to another, this is referred to as a ‘line transfer’. It may happen because the ISP is providing a poor service, but mostly happens because someone moved or because an ISP or customer provided the wrong address, or simply because the FNO is not tracking all the locations they have infrastructure.

Regardless of the reason for a line needing to change ISPs, FNOs are often asked to activate a service for one ISP when a different ISP is already linked to that line. An FNO or ISP might also confuse two similar addresses and the wrong client is disconnected from the line.

Historically, ISPA and SA’s regulatory authorities have received persistent complaints relating to line transfers. Consumers regularly complain about the process being slow, involving penalties and incorrect customer disconnections, amongst other systems-related issues.

ISPA is South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) and Version 3.2 of the ISP Best Practice Recommendations document – developed over the past three years – specifically addresses this noted consumer pain point.

A number of practical guidelines of value to both FNOs and ISPs in pursuit of smoother line transfers and better customer service in general are provided.

The document notes the importance of line information ideally being made available via centralised web based portals. This self-service approach would negate the need for many line-related queries to be logged with FNOs and customers being ping-ponged between call centre agents who are unsure of how to handle such situations.

The latest V3.2 document contains detailed guidelines relating to line migrations. For reference, ISPA provides an FNO best practice checklist:

• Do double check the address for any migration or new installation.
• Do offer multiple services over the same fibre line, if technically feasible.
• Do not have unnecessary notice periods for line migrations.
• Do distinguish between activation fees and installation fees for line migrations.
• Do cover the possibility and consequences of line transfers in agreements with ISPs.
• Do provide an indication of the number of previous migrations of a particular line.

For ISPs, ISPA recommends always double-checking the address for a migration or new installation.

When it comes to managing disputes over lines, it is furthermore recommended that: “unless there is a process in place to resolve conflict resulting from line migrations, the new customer at a location may be unfairly blocked from obtaining a service. However, an FNO must also be cautious about summarily terminating an ISP’s access to a line, since this could place the FNO in breach of their service agreement with that ISP.”

If there is a dispute, the FNO should keep both ISPs informed of the status of a migration and attempt to resolve it well before the migration date.

FNO best practice checklist:

• Do inform ISPs when a dispute arises over a fibre line.
• Do provide a thorough and reasonable process for resolving line transfer requests that may be disputed.

ISP best practice checklist:

• Do seek clarity from customers when line migration disputes arise.
• Do not use a customer billing dispute as a reason to dispute a line migration.
• Do cooperate with FNOs to speedily resolve any line migration dispute that is preventing a customer from obtaining a service.

ISPA’s most up-to-date Best Practice Recommendations have been developed following consultation with both ISPA’s members and with some of the FNOs who are not members of the Association.

“This document is tangible evidence of the commitment of all parties to deliver ubiquitous, fibre-based internet to consumers as well as more responsive customer care,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, ISPA chairperson.

ISPA notes the guidelines will be regularly revised and updated based on additional industry and consumer feedback.

SA’s ISPs Rate FNOs as (Slightly) Better than Six Months Ago

Octotel displaces Metrofibre as the highest-rated fibre network operator

South Africa’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have a slightly better perception of the country’s Fibre Network Operators (FNOs) compared to six months ago, according to the results of ISPA’s latest FNO perception survey (FNO Perception Survey – August 2024 – Results).

ISPA is South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) and surveys its members on a six-monthly basis to gauge their opinions of SA’s FNOs who are so critical to bridging the digital divide. The organisation has released the results of the most recent survey (FNO Perception Survey – August 2024 – Analysis), which includes an analysis of how the major FNOs have improved (or worsened!) over the last eighteen months.

“Overall, there has been a slight improvement in ISP perceptions of FNOs over the last six months. While the trend is encouraging, it’s clear this upwards trajectory needs speeding up,” notes Sasha Booth-Beharilal, ISPA chair.

The August 2024 FNO perception survey saw 44 ISPs actively contributing to 321 ratings of 38 FNOs with eight operators being rated most often: Octotel, Liquid Intelligent Networks, Openserve, Metrofibre, Link Africa, Frogfoot, Dark Fibre Africa and Vumatel.

Octotel has displaced Metrofibre as the highest-rated network in the top 8 and Liquid has shown significant improvement, jumping from fifth to second place. Openserve has recovered from a slump six months ago to move into third place. Metrofibre and Link Africa were in first and second place, respectively, in February 2024 and are now in fourth and fifth positions with slight dips in their average ratings. Frogfoot remains steady as the sixth FNO on the list, while Dark Fibre Africa and Vumatel have switched places at the bottom of the top 8.

In terms of how ISPA’s ISP members perceive the various FNOs’ strengths and weaknesses, the best perceived characteristics are reliability, technical competence, staff and support. Software systems are the least favourably viewed overall, followed by business processes.

ISPA’s report highlights the perceived strengths and weaknesses of each of the major FNOs. Octotel reliability and software systems are consistently highly-rated by ISPs, as are Openserve’s reliability and network value. Metrofibre’s staff and business processes are viewed as strengths. Perception of Liquid’s technical capability has improved from an already solid rating. Link Africa’s commitment to an open access model continues to make it an attractive option for ISPs. Dark Fibre Africa also scores consistently highly on open access, but is let down by its support.

The latest survey also highlights several smaller FNOs who, while they do not yet enjoy the same uptake as the largest FNOs, were scored highly by ISPs. Notably, Comtel and FibreGeeks received higher ratings than all of the top 8 FNOs. ISPs seeking to extend their service footprint should consider partnering with some of these upcoming networks.

For FNOs wishing to improve their scores in the future, ISPA’s advice remains similar to what it was following the previous two perception surveys. “FNOs must streamline the support they provide to ISPs. In particular, there must be processes and adequate staff capacity to resolve the common issues that ultimately impact end user customer service,” concludes Ms Booth-Beharilal.

The full table of results for all of the FNOs surveyed is published on the ISPA website:

https://ispa.org.za/fnos-isps/fno-perception-surveys/

ISPA continues to engage with its members and FNOs to ensure that all players work together to deliver high quality, cost-effective fibre-based internet.

SA’s New Spectrum Policy Must Make Spectrum Available for SMMEs

The Department of Communications and Digital Communications should be commended for its “Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development” issued in May 2024. However, it remains unclear how exactly SMMEs will get access to high-demand spectrum.

That’s according to ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body, which welcomes the focus on promoting greater access to growth-boosting licenced wireless last mile connectivity. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) refers to this type of connectivity as IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) spectrum and acknowledges its role in economic development.

The challenge in implementing the Policy will be finding mechanisms for emerging participants other than the established players such as Vodacom, MTN and Telkom to gain access to high-demand spectrum.

“There is an urgent need to enable SMMEs to provide affordable, mobile data  connectivity using high-demand spectrum. Therefore, the Policy needs to make the fastest possible transition into law. Efficient allocation and assignment of scarce spectrum will help fuel South Africa’s expected economic rebound,” says ISPA chair, Sasha Booth-Beharilal.

The Policy sets out in broad terms how the government intends to manage spectrum to meet certain overarching objectives which include ensuring affordable access to telecommunications services, developing digital infrastructure to stimulate growth and development and promoting competition, all the while ensuring the equitable distribution of the scarce spectrum resource.

The Policy correctly recognises that time, technology, markets and consumers have marched on since the current legislative framework came into effect in 2006. New developments must now be accommodated in the ECA in terms of an amendment to the Act.

Perhaps most importantly, the Policy expresses support for the allocation of further spectrum for Wi-Fi networks and requires that the Minister from time to time considers incentives to stimulate investment in Wi-Fi network deployments for lower income areas.

Wi-Fi is central to the government’s connectivity plans and widely-used for in-dwelling distribution and extending the benefits of higher ISP speeds throughout local areas.

Encouragingly, the Policy supports community networks as a means to address universal internet service challenges, sets out progressive measures to lower the cost to communicate and for the provision of a monthly free data allocation for indigent households. Determinations about qualification criteria are to be set out in regulations.

ISPA has prepared a table setting out the deadlines in the Policy and will be noting progress with interest:

To have a positive, real-world impact on SA’s telecoms sector licensees, the new Policy must be enacted into legislation without unnecessary delay.

Founded in 1996, ISPA is the only internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) officially recognised by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). ISPA advocates for an open, free, and competitive internet landscape.

ISPA Echoes Calls for Regulatory Support for MVNOs

ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB), welcomes recent calls for an appropriate, light-touch regulatory regime specifically tailored to support the growing number of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) introducing competition into the local mobile data market.

The MVNO sector has grown significantly with many familiar South African brands launching their own mobile offerings. There are now around 18 active MVNOs in South Africa, competing aggressively in the mobile data space and reducing the cost of mobile data for subscribers who have more choice than ever before.

The majority of these are on the Cell C platform – launched in 2006 – but MTN has entered the MVNO market aggressively over the past two years. Vodacom and Telkom – obliged by their latest spectrum licences to also offer access to their networks for MVNOs – should enter the market soon.

ICASA deserves congratulations for including the obligation to provide access to MVNOs in the licences issued after the successful March 2022 spectrum auction. In ISPA’s view this will prove to be one of the most important regulatory interventions for reducing the cost to communicate.

However, Africa Analysis recently noted that there is a comparatively high failure rate for local MVNOs – approximately 16 of 34 launched have not survived – attributing this in part to a lack of regulatory support.

It is clear that there needs to be more than a bare obligation in a licence to ensure that this spark of competition is nourished.

This has been recognised by the Competition Commission and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), which are proposing to include a new set of provisions to support MVNOs in upcoming amendments to the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).

The finalisation of a legislative framework for MVNOs will be contentious. ISPA has already made submissions to the DCDT calling for more detailed provisions in the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill 2023 to support different forms of MVNOs and their ability to offer the widest range of services to South Africans.

“A number of local MVNOs are already ISPA members – MVNOs are in reality a form of ISP – and looking to us to provide regulatory support in a local market where there is a commercial understanding of MVNOs, but no agreed regulatory definition,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, ISPA chair.

ISPA has two decades of experience in helping to reduce the cost to communicate in fixed data markets, and is looking to apply lessons learnt to the mobile data market on which the majority of South Africans rely for connectivity.

ISPA remains one of the country’s biggest representative bodies, made up of both Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Networks Service (ECNS) licensees.

Possibly one of the biggest benefits of ISPA membership, across all categories, relates to the Association’s Take-Down Notice (TDN) procedure. This is one of the many services offered to all ISPA members and protects them from liability for content that is hosted on, or transited through, their networks. In order to qualify for this liability protection, ISPA members must have a clear and solid process in place for handling take-down notifications.

Applications open for fifth annual ISPA Inspires educational sponorship

ISPA says smart young South Africans aspiring to careers in the ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) industry can submit their applications for consideration for the fifth instalment of the ISPA Inspires educational sponsorship from Monday, 2 September 2024.

ISPA is South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) and the ISPA Inspires sponsorship opportunity helps showcase promising future ICT sector entrants to ISPA’s 235 members while creating industry access points for young people with a passion for ICT.

“South Africa’s most forward-thinking tech and telecoms firms are very likely to be ISPA members and this membership base remains dedicated to fostering the growth of young South African ICT talent,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, ISPA chair.

Aurora Vani, chairperson of ISPA’s Social Development Working Group says: “ISPA is committed to empowering the next generation of ICT professionals. The ISPA Inspires educational sponsorship programme provides vital support for aspiring students and strengthens our community by fostering growth and innovation within the sector.”

Thembelihle Mzobe, Mduduzi Shangase (2024), Maile Selala, Ruchelle Coetzee (2023), Tracey Bungu (2022), Fabian Brijlal and Jordy Kafwe (2021) are the young tech superstars that have been recipients of this funding program that has helped propel them towards rewarding careers in ICT.

To be considered for the ISPA Inspires bursaries for the 2025 academic year, please visit the ISPA Inspires website and ensure that you submit your application before 30 October 2024.

Sponsorship is available to applicants from universities, TVET and technical colleges, as well as from any institution providing accredited ICT training or sector-specific courses that aim to address South Africa’s skills shortage.

This social development programme aimed at assisting promising South African youth has had a ripple effect of encouraging grant recipients to complete advanced diplomas, bachelor and masters degrees, as well as to enter intern programmes at prospective employers.

As a recent graduate noted: “My goal is to make a meaningful contribution to the field of ICT and leverage my education to drive innovation in the industry. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities ISPA has provided and I’m now excited about the future.”

Who should apply:

• South African citizens.
• Individuals 35 years of age or younger.
• Current or prospective undergraduate students enrolled for the 2025 academic year at a South African TVET college, university, registered private college, or registered higher educational institution.
• Applicants enrolled or planning to enrol in a field of study related to ICT.

Note:

• Postgraduates and students already funded by an existing bursary or scholarship are not eligible for this grant.
• Previous experience in the information technology industry is not a prerequisite for applying.
• Priority will be given to previously disadvantaged individuals.

ISPA Inspires is ISPA’s commitment to providing the support and resources necessary for young individuals to turn their aspirations into reality. To learn more, please visit: ispa.org.za/social-development.

Don’t Rely on Promises in the Quest for Open Access Internet Where you Live

Residential estates with high-end fibre connectivity are valued by owners and tenants alike. This is especially true of estates with open access fibre infrastructure that provides a neutral platform for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to compete with each other.

“First prize should be competition at the fibre infrastructure level that allows for non-exclusive fibre connectivity,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, chair of ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB).

“More than one fibre provider is ideal. At the very least, homeowners’ associations, body corporates and property developers should reject any potential fibre installation that does not allow for multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to compete at the customer-facing level,” she explains.

Enabling consumers to choose which ISP they buy internet access from has been in line with official policy since at least 2016 when the government outlined the right of consumers to choose their service provider as a key requirement of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper.

ISPA has made several calls in the past for communities countrywide to insist on open access fibre optic cable installations.

“When estate managers, body corporates and others make promises with regards to choosing open access providers, these assurances must be reduced to writing and clauses to this effect must always be inserted in any written agreements with planned fibre providers,” advises Booth-Beharilal.

Lifestyle, golf, wildlife and equestrian estates are popular choices for South Africa’s upwardly mobile. Not only does high-speed fibre optic internet enable remote working, home automation and technologically-advanced security systems, fibre makes it easier to rent and sell properties. Furthermore, the Digital Council Africa has reported that fibre can increase the value of a property.

For estate managers to benefit from centralised estate management and for residents to benefit from better internet speeds, streaming services, gaming, security, and the Internet of Things (IOT), South Africans must refuse second-best and continue to evangelise the principle of open access FTTH where they live.

“Open access commitments must be kept on body corporate meeting agendas and residents must scrutinise fibre rollout agreements within communities before trenching begins,” Booth-Beharilal says.

As a central pillar of functioning and free ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) markets, open access remains one of ISPA’s guiding principles. Open access means fair competition, and fair competition means choice in quality, affordable communications for consumers.

“In ISPA’s view, closed networks – or entering into an exclusive arrangement with one provider – are contrary to the ideal of a level internet services playing field that values innovation and competition,” concludes Booth-Beharilal.

ISPA is a 235-member IRB with membership made up of both Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Networks Services (ECNS) licensees.

ISPA Sees Welcome Promise and Critical Continuity in Communications Ministry Reset

ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body, is hopeful South Africa’s newly-appointed Minister of Communications, Solly Malatsi, and his deputy, previous incumbent Mondli Gungubele, will together prove to be amongst the top performers in the newly-announced cabinet of the fledgling Government of National Unity (GNU).

The smart combination of the new minister and the previous minister will lend continuity to a critical ministry which must lead South Africa’s transition to a digital economy while ensuring that all have access to affordable, fit-for-purpose connectivity.

ISPA believes the ability of the new minister to find his feet within a portfolio so important to South Africa’s economic performance will be speeded along by an experienced deputy minister well-versed in the business of government.

ISPA looks forward to the opportunity to engage with the new minister, his deputy and staff and will specifically outline ISPA and its members’ priorities for sector growth which include:

• Promoting SMMEs and competition at all levels of the value chain.
• Reducing the red tape which acts as an obstacle to entry into the internet access market and making individual licences easily available.
• Rationalising regulators in the sector to ensure light-touch regulation. appropriate for a future digital economy.
• Speedier review and implementation of legislation and regulation.

ISPA is a 235-member Industry Representative Body (IRB) with membership made up of both Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Networks Services (ECNS) licensees.

ISPA Welcomes New ICASA Chair, Proposes Red Tape Reduction

ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body, has welcomed new Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) Chair, Mothibi Ramusi, to the hot seat and called on him to prioritise making life easier for SMME licensees in the electronic communications industry.

ISPA believes that ICASA should consider amending the current reporting obligations, fines and fees applicable under the current regulations in order to distinguish between emerging licensees and the larger incumbent operators.

“It seems wrong that an emerging ISP has largely the same compliance obligations as Telkom or Vodacom,” says ISPA chair, Sasha Booth-Beharilal.

ISPA is a 235-member Industry Representative Body (IRB) with membership made up of both Electronic Communications Service (ECS) and Electronic Communications Networks Services (ECNS) licensees.

“ISPA has enjoyed a long-term, mutually-beneficial relationship with ICASA centred on the joint desire to ensure high-quality, affordable connectivity for all South Africans.

“ISPA is advocating for a simplified approach for emerging businesses that ensures adequate consumer protection while aligning with fairness, proportionality and maintaining a competitive connectivity market,” notes Booth-Beharilal.

A 2023 Competition Commission study on Measuring Concentration and Participation in the South African Economy: Levels and Trends found that the share of SMEs of the country’s aggregate income is comparatively low and declining. Burdensome regulatory requirements take time to finalise and take SME business owners and employees away from the core business.

Under the current regulatory framework, all telecom licensees must file multiple returns, regardless of their size. These standard filing requirements impose disproportionate burdens on small licensees due to limited resources and administrative capacity.

Overseas, many regulators recognise the varying sizes of the businesses they regulate with the number of subscribers often being the assessment criteria employed. A risk-based approach to regulatory reporting is becoming the norm. Here, the scale of licensees’ operations is considered and small licensees are subject to simplified and less frequent data submission requirements that allows them to submit less comprehensive data.

In the United States – to provide one interesting example – government agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must analyse the impact of proposed regulations on small entities and consider alternatives to minimise adverse economic impacts. The South African government, for its part, recognises the importance of SMEs in the economy and has publicly expressed support for reducing compliance requirements for SMEs.

Beyond the above considerations, small operators have been instrumental in providing alternative telecoms services in underserviced areas which large operators might not typically prioritise and they often offer lower rates and personalised service specifically tailored to the unique needs of the geographical areas they serve.

ISPA has proposed a tiered approach to filing administrative returns, applicable fines and licence applications that differentiates between small and large operators. For small licensees, a simplified reporting framework with reduced data granularity could be employed with penalties revised as percentages of turnover and fees similarly revised to a two-tiered approach.

“ISPA is always open to constructive engagement with ICASA specifically and government generally to develop a framework that ensures compliance while reducing the administrative burden on small businesses,” concludes Booth-Beharilal.

Founded in 1996, ISPA is the only internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) officially recognised by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). ISPA advocates for an open, free, and competitive internet landscape.