Service providers urged to follow proper channels
JOHANNESBURG - ICASA chairperson, Mothibi Ramusi, has urged telecommunication service providers to use the correct channels when applying for certification.
This comes on the back of reports that some South Africans are illegally using Starlink services.
The authority has also sent out its teams to conduct physical verifications in the affected areas.
Starlink, an American service provider is not authorised or licensed to operate in the country.
The satellite internet provider is owned by South African born billionaire, Elon Musk. The tech mogul wants to bring Starlink to SA but faces a major hurdle because of ownership.
By law, every national network infrastructure and communications service provider must be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
44 minutes ago
- IOL News
Starlink orders ICASAsePush to halt operations in South Africa as regulator Icasa cracks whip
Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi wrote to SpaceX, seeking clarity on whether the international internet service provider was operating in South Africa without a licence. Image: Supplied Elon Musk's international internet service provider Starlink has informed ICASAsePush, a privately-owned company reported as the leading provider of Starlink internet services in South Africa, to cease its local operations following the intervention of South African authorities. The Starlink directive through its parent company SpaceX to ICASAsePush came after South Africa's Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) wrote to Musk's company, seeking clarity after widespread allegations surfaced purporting that Starlink services are available in South Africa. IOL has recently reported that Starlink has not applied for a licence to operate in South Africa, despite claiming that broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) laws are preventing his company from setting up. In South Africa, Starlink is listed at 'service date is unknown' while it is starting in 2025 in Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania, Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its services are available in eSwatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Burundi, among other African countries. Speaking to IOL, Icasa chairperson Mothibi Ramusi said he has written to SpaceX, seeking clear answers on whether the international service provider was operating in South Africa without a licence. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'I must indicate and confirm that, as an authority, we wrote to the company SpaceX because we wanted to get affirmation ... because sometimes you have fake news and as an authority, with the limitations we have in terms of monitoring equipment and tools, I took it upon myself, supported by council and our exco, and SpaceX has responded, and I must say the response worried me as well, as the chair. 'While they recognise in a country without proper permits is not permissible, they indicated to us they have now instructed them, ICASAsePush, to cease operations and even distribute any equipment that is aligned to their business especially in this country. 'From a security point, that is an issue which should be a concern to us as an authority. Because we collaborate with other state institutions, I have immediately, on behalf of the authority, engaged with Sansa (South African National Space Agency) our national space agency and among other things they do, they providing tracking, tracing and control for those that launch satellites all over the world so we have a very good state of the art facility in this country. Ramusi said he has engaged with security cluster agencies in South Africa as well as Icasa being on the ground, engaging with different communities seeking to identify any illegal activities. 'Part of our collaboration is to bring in other institutions because this requires collaboration. If security is at risk, as an authority, being part of the international telecommunications union, all member states have made a commitment that, as and when you provide services in any country you must observe the local rules. In this instance, as an authority, we just want to instill discipline that as much as we encourage to come to South Africa, if you know that you have equipment that requires spectrum, come to the authority, and that;s what I would like to encourage. Ramusi said SpaceX has confirmed that Starlink services in South Africa have been provided through ICASAsePush. 'They have indicated a company called ICASAsePush. I have got the evidence. They (SpaceX) have written to them instructing them to cease whatever operations that they have. 'My worry is, obviously as an authority is, what kind of a workaround is making it possible for somebody, even when we have instructed SpaceX to cease their operations. With internet, you need to inform those that are providing the service your downlink and your uplink signals should be shut down. That is the instruction we have done as an authority, so I would be more worried if anyone comes today and says that they do have evidence that somewhere in this country, somebody has been able to connect. On its website, IOL found that ICASAsePush prides itself as a trusted facilitator helping South Africans access 'Sparkling' — 'quickly, simply, and without the usual hassle'. ICASAsePush's website also states: 'Diligent copyright lawyers have advised that we can't call a spade a spade - so we now proudly refer to it as Sparkling. Sparkling is a satellite-based internet service. It delivers fast, uncapped internet to homes and businesses - especially in rural or remote areas where traditional options fall short'. 'We source, import, test, and deliver Sparkling hardware directly to your door, handling everything from customs to courier. Whether you choose to buy outright or rent-to-own, we also facilitate your Sparkling account setup if needed — all while keeping you in full control.'
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Empowerment in action: How the Hlola EmpowerCare Initiative is shaping young doctors' futures
The initiative aims to empower 300 young unemployed South African doctors to become micro-entrepreneurs in healthcare. Image: Innov8 Group Holdings Innovation Edge has announced the launch of the Hlola EmpowerCare Initiative, a programme aimed at providing support to young South African doctors to become micro-entrepreneurs in healthcare. This initiative is funded by the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN) Innovation Fund, a grant initiative led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Recruitment and Training for Young Doctors Recruitment for the Hlola EmpowerCare Initiative is open until June 30, 2025, targeting young, post-community service doctors who are currently unemployed, engaged in locum work, or underemployed. The initiative aims to equip 300 medical doctors with U-Image, an innovative point-of-care ultrasound solution (POCUS) developed by Innov8 Group Holdings and its subsidiaries. U-Image includes a locally developed ultrasound device, image storage software, bespoke clinical training, and certification. This training will provide doctors with the necessary skills to diagnose and treat common diseases and conditions requiring bedside ultrasound, with a strong emphasis on first-trimester scans for expectant mothers. Addressing Healthcare Challenges Access to ultrasound for pregnant women in the public health system is critically limited, with many clinics lacking the necessary equipment or trained professionals. This is particularly concerning in a country where infant and child mortality rates remain alarmingly high. In 2022, the Medical Research Council estimated that 30 out of every 1,000 infants born alive in South Africa did not survive their first year, while the under-five mortality rate increased from 29 per 1,000 in 2020 to 40 in 2022. Premature births and delivery complications are major contributors to these statistics, with limited antenatal care reducing the chances for early intervention. A Sustainable Future for Healthcare 'As an innovation-led healthcare holding business focused on re-engineering care delivery and point-of-care solutions, Innov8 Group Holdings – through Innohealth Technologies – will drive the execution of this initiative,' said Dr Chad Marthinussen, Founder and CEO of Innov8 Group Holdings and its subsidiaries. 'We'll supply the tools, recruit and match 300 young doctors with established care pathways, and equip them with our virtual care platform MypocketHealth, home-grown POCUS hardware, and training, certification, and commercial-skills programme. By enabling these clinicians to launch their own hybrid micro-enterprises, we'll dramatically widen South Africa's primary care footprint and create a sustainable engine for better patient access and outcomes.' In addition to bespoke POCUS training, participants will receive business management and development training to help them establish and run their own medical practices. The initiative includes training aimed at equipping young doctors with both clinical and business skills. The Hlola EmpowerCare Initiative addresses immediate and long-term healthcare challenges by improving access to ultrasound scans for early detection of complications. It builds a sustainable network of young doctors with diagnostic and business skills, enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities and contributing to better maternal and child health while creating ongoing economic opportunities. 'As an impact-first investor that aims to empower entrepreneurs to solve early childhood challenges, supporting young doctors who want to make a difference is a natural fit for Innovation Edge. Our role in this project includes ensuring market access and monitoring and evaluation, which will be critical in scaling the impact of this initiative and driving sustainable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes,' says Gilbert Anyetei, Investment Principal at Innovation Edge. This partnership is a transformative step toward strengthening South Africa's healthcare system, empowering doctors, expanding access to antenatal care, and ultimately contributing to improving early childhood outcomes to give children the strongest start in life. [email protected] IOL
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Petrol and diesel prices drop from Wednesday, 4 June, but levy
This is how much it will cost you at the pumps While South African motorists will pay less for petrol and diesel at the pumps from next week, petrol costs will still be affected by the fuel levy. The slight petrol price decrease from Wednesday, 4 June 2025, will be a relief for cash-strapped motorists. Petrol and diesel prices The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the prices of both 93-octane and 95-octane petrol will decrease by five cents per litre. The price of both grades of diesel with (0.05% sulphur) and (0.005% sulphur) goes down by 36.9 cents per litre. Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost 56 cents less per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 89 cents per kg. ALSO READ: Fuel levy hike to go ahead as EFF fails in court How much will fuel cost you? When the fuel price adjustment kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R21.40 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R21.51 The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will decrease to R18.68 per litre, and 0.005% will cost R18.73 Reasons for petrol decrease DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake said several factors, including the international petroleum product prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Brent Crude oil price Maake said the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 66.40 US Dollars (USD) to 63.95 USD during the period under review. 'The main contributing factors are the continued global trade uncertainty, lower global crude oil demand outlook, as well as the OPEC+ announcement of planned production increase in June 2025 and possibly in July 2025'. Rand/US dollar exchange Maake said the Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 18.84 to 18.11 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. 'This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by over 39.00 cents per litre'. Fuel levy The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, in his Budget Vote Speech on the 21st of May 2025, announced that the Fuel Levy will increase by 16.00 c/l on petrol and 15.00 c/l on diesel, respectively, with effect from the 4th of June 2025. 'Therefore, the Fuel Levy in the price structures of petrol and diesel will increase to R4.15 per litre and R4.02 per litre, respectively. 'The Road Accident Fund levy remains unchanged at R2.18 per litre on the price structures of petrol and diesel,' Maake said. Slate levy Maake said the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R4.486 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of April 2025. 'In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, a slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 4th of June 2025,' Maake said. ALSO READ: Cape Town F1 Grand Prix proposal aims to build on World Cup legacy
