Everything we do is aimed at ensuring that all people in South Africa have access to basic communication services at affordable prices. In terms or our licence agreements, operators have to roll out services in under-serviced areas and we ensure that licensees contribute to the Universal Service and Access Fund.

ICASA falls under schedule 1 of the Public Finance Management Act No 1 of 1999. Our mandate is set out in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, Act No 13 of 2000, the Electronic Communications Act, Act No 35 of 2005, as amended, the Postal Services Act No 24 of 1998 and the Broadcasting Act No 4 of 1999 for the regulation of electronic communications, broadcasting and the postal sectors in the public interest. 

The legislation empowers ICASA to grant licences, monitor licensee compliance with licence terms and conditions, develop regulations, plan and manage the radio frequency spectrum and protect consumers.

We are also mandated to receive complaints from the public about poor services provided by telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services licensees. We facilitate the resolution of these complaints or refer them to the Complaint and Compliance Committee.

ICASA was established in July 2000 as a merger of the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

We’re a Chapter 9 institution (an institution that supports democracy) in terms of the South African Constitution, and a portfolio organisation of the Department of Communications.