Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12-2026] Tabled in Parliament

Posted 20 April 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Communications & Digital Technologies

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12-2026] was formally tabled in Parliament on 23 April 2026, following its submission for information and planning purposes on 22 April 2026.

The Bill seeks to amend the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005. This legislative process follows the release of a draft version in June 2023 and the subsequent gazetting of an explanatory summary. The current iteration replaces a previous version from 2018 that was withdrawn in 2019 to facilitate more extensive industry consultation after significant concerns were raised during public hearings.

Key Regulatory Objectives

According to the explanatory summary and Cabinet statements, the amendments are intended to modernize the regulatory environment for digital services. The Bill seeks to:

  • Promote competition within the sector to reduce the cost of data and electronic communication services.
  • Establish a framework for spectrum sharing and improved spectrum management.
  • Regulate roaming and facilitate infrastructure sharing arrangements.
  • Address the regulatory requirements for digital platforms and Over-the-Top (OTT) services.

The Bill’s formal tabling follows certification by the Office of the State Law Adviser. It will now proceed through the relevant parliamentary committees for deliberation and further public participation.

Click here to download the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill [B12-2026].

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact channelled through professional advisory roles regarding telecommunications compliance and digital rights.
  • For your business: ICT practices and legal firms must prepare for a revised licensing and regulatory environment that prioritizes spectrum sharing and infrastructure access, potentially impacting operational costs.
  • For your clients: Telecommunications and digital service providers should review their current spectrum usage, roaming agreements, and pricing models against the Bill’s pro-competitive requirements to ensure future compliance.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/electronic-communications-long-awaited-amendment-bill-heads-to-parliament

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.