The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), established in July 2000, is the regulator for the South African communications sector, responsible for the regulation of broadcasting; postal; and telecommunications services.
ICASA's jurisdiction covers all nine provinces of South Africa, and the body was established through a merger of telecoms regulator (Telecommunications Regulators Association of Southern Africa) and the broadcasting regulator (Independent Broadcasting Authority).

Some of ICASA's functions include the regulation of the telecommunications and broadcasting industries in the public interest.

The key functions are:
-to make regulations and policies that govern broadcasting and telecommunications; -issue licenses to providers of telecommunication services and broadcasters;
-monitor the environment and enforce compliance with rules, regulations and policies;
-hear and decide on disputes and complaints brought by industry or members of the public against licensees; plan, control and manage the frequency spectrum; and
-protect consumers from unfair business practices, poor quality services and harmful or inferior products.

In regulating the industry ICASA aligns its actions, policies and regulations with the framework set by international and regional bodies to which it is affiliated. These include the Telecommunication Regulatory Association of Southern Africa (TRASA); the International Telecommunications Union (ITU); the International Institute of Communications (IIC); and Reseau Des Instances Africaines De Regulation De la Communication (RIARC).

For more information, call 011 566 3000/3001 or email [email protected]. Alternately, visit the ICASA website, by clicking here.