1. Presentation to the Portfolio Committee
Jackie B Manche
8 October 2004

2. Introduction Progress made to date
Appointment of three new councillors, CEO and CFO
Progress made to date
Present priorities for the forthcoming year
Highlight challenges facing the Authority

3. Background Icasa created 4 years ago with merger of IBA and SATRA
Icasa has transformed itself over the past four years to a regulator focused on its core functions of rule making and licensing

4. Background
Icasa’s agenda priorities are well aligned with the government policies/ objectives
Icasa is supported by a robust organisational structure

5. Organisational Structure

6. Legislative Framework
The Broadcasting Act, Independent Broadcasting Authority Act– regulation of state media to ensure impartiality, diversity and expression of media
Telecommunications Act– est. of SATRA, an independent body to regulate telecommunications sector
ICASA Act –merger of SATRA and IBA, on 1 July 2000 creating an independent body to regulate telecomms and broadcast sectors

7. ICASA’s Mandate Ensuring equal access to services
Ensuring that services are available in the rural areas and poorer areas
Increasing coverage

8. ICASA’s Mandate Opening up the sector to competition
Broad-based empowerment
Promoting diversity

9. Govt’s Priorities Economic Growth – investment in the economy
Dual Economy – interventions to spur the 2nd economy, better coverage, under serviced areas

10. Govt’s Priorities Job creation – access to jobs
Poverty alleviation – job creation, self employment
Affordability of services – cost of telecomms services

11. Challenges
Organisational issues – staffing, skills as most staff offered better paying jobs in the private sector
Limited capacity in some areas e.g economic analytical expertise

12. Challenges
Low levels of funding have made it difficult to attract and retain staff, and thereby sustain a strong regulator
Icasa continues to be plagued by court challenges, some not opposed due to low levels of funding

13. Challenges Convergence legislation and Amendment to Broadcasting Act
Liberalisation of the telecommunications market following Minister’s announcement
Licensing new operators