[3 March 2014]
ICASA’s Informal Workshop on Local Loop Unbundling (LLU): Summary
This summary outlines the key takeaways from the informal workshop held by ICASA on February 18th, 2014, regarding Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).
- Trial Possibility: The workshop participants discussed the potential for a trial run of LLU in an underutilized rural Telkom exchange. A working group comprised of relevant stakeholders (TSA, IS, and MNOs) will be established to coordinate this trial.
- Draft Regulation Feedback: Interested parties have until March 31st to submit further comments on the draft LLU Regulations. Notably, some stakeholders requested the opportunity to propose a comprehensive alternative set of regulations.
- Wireless LLU Concerns: Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) expressed legal and technical challenges regarding the unbundling of the wireless local loop (WLL) within the draft regulations. Conversely, Neotel emphasized that LLU should primarily focus on fixed networks due to limited access options for licensees.
- ICASA Media Release: Submissions on the questions raised by ICASA in their media release dated February 14th, 2014, are also due by March 31st (refer to previous report for details).
- Telkom’s Input: Telkom expressed their desire for the originally planned public hearings on LLU to proceed, as they have vital information on the socio-economic impact of LLU to share. ICASA has opted for a private meeting with Telkom to discuss this information instead.
- Looking Ahead: The possibility of further workshops is high. We await further communication from ICASA regarding the upcoming process for LLU implementation.
[15 February 2014]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has opted to hold a public workshop on February 18th, 2014, instead of the originally planned public hearings on the Draft Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) Regulations. This workshop will focus on “Wholesale Access under Chapter 8 of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA)”.
Details regarding the decision to switch formats and the specific topics to be covered during the workshop can be found in a media release issued by ICASA on February 18th, 2014, titled “Media Release On LLU Public Hearings 18 Feb 2014.”
Workshop Information
- Date: February 18, 2014
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: ICASA Head Office, Pinmill Farm, Block C Presentation Room
“The goal of Chapter 8, mandating wholesale access (with a particular emphasis on broadband) is to facilitate direct access to consumers at commercial rates on a non-discriminatory basis, and to prevent duplication where it would represent unnecessary investment.
The Authority puts forward the following questions to guide the discussion. Stakeholders are requested to prepare presentations/submissions on their views. These inputs will be used to advance the regulation-making process.
Questions:
- The Electronic Communications Act defines radio apparatus as a facility. However, radio apparatus is only useful in combination with Spectrum, which means that the wireless local loop is a facility. What would be your view?
- Is there a difference in the way Chapter 8 applies to active facilities versus passive facilities?
- From a conceptual point of view, is there a difference between copper, fibre and wireless last mile access? What are the implications of the practical differences?
- What measures and methods would make the leasing of last mile access simpler and cheaper for all parties?
- What additional issues need to be considered?
[23 January 2013]
The following submissions on the Draft LLU Regulations were received before the Explanatory Note was published.
[11 December 2013]
In a surprising move, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) only published the Explanatory Note for the draft Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) regulations on December 6th, 2013. Though referenced in the draft regulations released in September, the Explanatory Note’s three-month delay disadvantages interested parties.
Many submissions on the draft regulations have already been made without the context of the Explanatory Note. ICASA is now requiring additional submissions by January 23rd, 2014, to account for this new information.
Public hearings on LLU are scheduled for February 17th to 19th, 2014. Notably, a section of the regulations addresses Telkom’s claimed “Access Line Deficit,” which is likely to be a point of discussion.
Explanatory Note to Draft LLU Regulations 2013
[9 September 2013]
Unfortunately, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has identified a critical error in the previously published draft regulations. A vital page containing definitions was omitted from the document.
As a result, ICASA has withdrawn the draft and will be re-issuing it with the missing page included. The full text of ICASA’s media release regarding this issue is provided below.
Additional Note: While some might suspect intentional omission, the page numbering of the draft itself doesn’t suggest a missing page.
Draft Local Loop Unbundling Regulations 2013 (reissued)
“06 September 2013 Johannesburg – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa hereby informs all stakeholders and the media that due to an error in publication of a page of definitions in the draft “Bitstream and Shared/Full Loop” Regulations on 7th August 2013, the Authority hereby repeals these regulations and a revised set of regulations will be published in due course. The submission deadline for all proposals is now thirty (30) days from publication of the re-issued regulations.”
[21 August 2013]
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) in South Africa gained traction with the release of draft regulations by ICASA. These regulations aim to simplify leasing agreements for telecommunications infrastructure, particularly those intended for LLU. Additionally, they establish guidelines for interconnection and leasing of local loop facilities.
Interested parties have until September 9th, 2013, to submit written comments. ICASA will then announce details for upcoming public hearings.
Draft Local Loop Unbundling Regulations 2013
Some history on LLU in SA
Local Loop Unbundling: A way forward for South Africa
Local Loop Unbundling / Wholesale open access
[3 March 2014]
ICASA’s Informal Workshop on Local Loop Unbundling (LLU): Summary
This summary outlines the key takeaways from the informal workshop held by ICASA on February 18th, 2014, regarding Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).
[15 February 2014]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has opted to hold a public workshop on February 18th, 2014, instead of the originally planned public hearings on the Draft Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) Regulations. This workshop will focus on “Wholesale Access under Chapter 8 of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA)”.
Details regarding the decision to switch formats and the specific topics to be covered during the workshop can be found in a media release issued by ICASA on February 18th, 2014, titled “Media Release On LLU Public Hearings 18 Feb 2014.”
Workshop Information
[23 January 2013]
The following submissions on the Draft LLU Regulations were received before the Explanatory Note was published.
[11 December 2013]
In a surprising move, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) only published the Explanatory Note for the draft Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) regulations on December 6th, 2013. Though referenced in the draft regulations released in September, the Explanatory Note’s three-month delay disadvantages interested parties.
Many submissions on the draft regulations have already been made without the context of the Explanatory Note. ICASA is now requiring additional submissions by January 23rd, 2014, to account for this new information.
Public hearings on LLU are scheduled for February 17th to 19th, 2014. Notably, a section of the regulations addresses Telkom’s claimed “Access Line Deficit,” which is likely to be a point of discussion.
Explanatory Note to Draft LLU Regulations 2013
[9 September 2013]
Unfortunately, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has identified a critical error in the previously published draft regulations. A vital page containing definitions was omitted from the document.
As a result, ICASA has withdrawn the draft and will be re-issuing it with the missing page included. The full text of ICASA’s media release regarding this issue is provided below.
Additional Note: While some might suspect intentional omission, the page numbering of the draft itself doesn’t suggest a missing page.
Draft Local Loop Unbundling Regulations 2013 (reissued)
[21 August 2013]
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) in South Africa gained traction with the release of draft regulations by ICASA. These regulations aim to simplify leasing agreements for telecommunications infrastructure, particularly those intended for LLU. Additionally, they establish guidelines for interconnection and leasing of local loop facilities.
Interested parties have until September 9th, 2013, to submit written comments. ICASA will then announce details for upcoming public hearings.
Draft Local Loop Unbundling Regulations 2013
Some history on LLU in SA
Local Loop Unbundling: A way forward for South Africa
Recent Insights