South Africa’s communications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), has issued a notice setting out the licensing requirements for operators seeking to provide services in the country using a satellite constellation, following a series of enquiries from prospective satellite operators.
The notice, published in the Government Gazette on 29 June 2026 and signed by ICASA Chairperson Mothibi G Ramusi, sets out that three categories of licence are required to operate satellite constellation services within South Africa: an Individual Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS) licence, an Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (I-ECNS) licence, and one or more Radio Frequency Spectrum (RFS) licences.
On infrastructure, the notice confirms that operating a Gateway Earth Station (GES) within South Africa requires an I-ECNS licence together with the relevant RFS licences.
Where multiple GESs connecting to the same constellation are operated by different I-ECNS licensees, ICASA said these entities would operate independently of one another, each requiring its own licences.
The regulator distinguished between spectrum sharing and spectrum re-use, noting that GESs operated by a single entity for the same constellation at different locations are re-using, rather than sharing, the same RFS.
However, where the GES associated with a satellite network is not located within South Africa, ICASA said the applicant would need to demonstrate to the Authority how lawful interception would be carried out.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/07/01/icasa-clarifies-licensing-rules-for-satellite-constellation-operators-in-south-africa/