Community Connectivity Pioneers Shape South Africa's Digital Policy

• South Africa is currently consulting on the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill until 21 August 2026 to update the 2005 Electronic Communications Act.
• The reform addresses key issues such as definitions of community networks, digital infrastructure deployment, and spectrum allocation.
• The South Africa School for Digital Policy (ZASDIP CN/2026) convened 23 practitioners to build policy advocacy capacity and bridge the digital divide.

Community Demands for Reform

• Practitioners from diverse grassroots initiatives are calling on ICASA to open up spectrum specifically for community networks to ensure service quality and sustainability.
• Community-centred connectivity initiatives (CCCIs) provide vital services, including connecting rural hospitals, enhancing digital literacy in schools, and providing internet access in underserved regions.
• Stakeholders argue that local networks are already performing essential socio-economic work and require policy recognition rather than burdensome regulatory hurdles.

Legislative Impact and Next Steps

• The proposed amendment bill classifies community networks as not-for-profit entities and exempts them from standard licensing requirements, lowering entry barriers.
• Provisions include mandatory spectrum sharing for secondary licensees and the standardization of municipal by-laws for infrastructure deployment.
• Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi has engaged with these advocates, inviting them to present their three most urgent digital policy priorities for government consideration.
• The Community Networks South Africa (CNSA) association continues to represent these grassroots voices as the legislative window for public contribution remains open.