The government requirement for licenses requires at least 80% South African ownership and WorldSpace is 100% foreign-owned.
The minister of communications, Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, has asked Icasa to allow WorldSpace to continue to offer services until a long-term solution can be found.
It would appear that government considers that WorldSpace provides Africa with such an important service that it may waive the regulations for this organisation.
WorldSpace Southern Africa, which is applying for a satellite radio broadcasting licence in South Africa, is a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based WorldSpace.
Zolisa Masiza, an Icasa councillor and the chairman of the subscription broadcasting committee, said Icasa would seek clarity from the communications minister on what the “policy directives meant”.
Icasa has cautioned that if government changed the requirements this would affect the licensing process.
Icasa has received 18 TV subscription applications from consortiums including Telkom Media, Goal Technology Solutions, Khetha Media, Sentech and MaxTV. The intention is to select a suitable competitor to DStv operator MultiChoice.
