Apply for a low power sound broadcasting service licence

The Broadcasting Act, 1999 (Act 4 of 1999), defines a low power sound broadcasting service as a community, private or public sound broadcasting service that radiates power not exceeding one watt.

There are two types of low-power broadcasting licences:

• commercial low power sound broadcasting services which operate from and broadcast to shopping malls/centres, sports grounds, show grounds and drive-in movie theatres, or any other like service the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) may deem appropriate
• community low power sound broadcasting services which operate from and broadcast to old age homes, links between places of worship, links between places of worship and old age homes, or any other like service the Authority may deem appropriate. Only non-profit making entities are eligible to apply for low-power community broadcasting licences.

Both community and commercial low power sound broadcasting licences shall be valid for three years, and a special event low power sound broadcasting licence shall be valid for thirty days.

Note: Registrations for low-power community broadcasting licences are currently not being processed by the Authority because of a moratorium that was issued by ICASA on 29 March 2010.

What you should do

1. Identify a suitable frequency for low power use.
2. Determine the location of the studio and transmission site.
3. Establish a working group to take responsibility for the application process and serve as applicant on behalf of the event organisers.
4. The working group must:
   • Collect signatures from the community
   • Write a business plan
   • Facilitate the democratic election of Board members
5. Request a copy of the broadcasting service and signal distribution application form from ICASA.
6. Complete the application form in print, using capital letters.
7. Submit the original and five certified copies of the application form with an electronic copy to Icasa, together with proof of payment of the application fee.
8. Pay the application fee into the ICASA bank account:
   Bank: Nedbank
   Account No: 1454090456
   Branch code: 198765
   Branch: Nedbank South Africa
   Swift code: NEDSZAJJ

Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and no responsibility for any inconvenience will be accepted.

How long does it take

Approval of this licence may take two to three months.

How much does it cost

Forms to complete

The application form will be part of the schedules that will be published in the Government Gazette.

Who to contact

ICASA head office
Tel: 012 568 3000/3001
E-mail: info@icasa.org.za

Physical address: 350 Witch-Hazel Ave, Eco-Park Estate, Centurion, 0144
Postal address: Private Bag X10, Highveld Park 0169