Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi said his department will continue to pursue changes to the Electronic Communications Act
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Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi says his department will continue to pursue changes to the Electronic Communications Act, which could pave the way for companies like Starlink to meet B-BBEE requirements through Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs).
The minister's comments come after the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) said it could not recognise EEIPs under the current law, which requires 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups.
"The Authority remains committed to advancing transformation, empowerment and economic inclusion within the telecommunications sector and all other sectors it regulates." ICASA said.
"ICASA is enjoined to advance the historically disadvantaged groups as guided by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), which requires a minimum 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups for individual licence holders".
In a statement, Malatsi said he had noted ICASA’s position and that his department would work to change the law.
"We remain committed to ensuring that South Africa's licensing regime is fully aligned with the ICT Sector Code. As announced in my Budget speech yesterday, we will pursue legislative amendments that will enable equity equivalent investment programmes to complement ownership requirements in telecommunications, through amendments to the Electronic Communications Act (ECA)."
He said his goal was to ensure all South Africans have access to affordable internet that can help them build livelihoods and reduce poverty.
"My mission in this job is to ensure that every person in South Africa has access to affordable and meaningful connectivity that they can use to build sustainable livelihoods and get out of poverty," he added.
"We will work with all stakeholders in society that share our mission to ensure that South Africa fully unlocks the life-changing power that comes with access to the internet".
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