Network operators face mandatory bi-annual GIS submissions and R1-million fines under draft rapid deployment rules.

TechCentral

South Africa's communications regulator Icasa has published draft regulations requiring all licensed network operators to submit detailed GIS data on their physical infrastructure — including fibre routes, towers, ducts, poles, and planned roll-outs — to a national database every six months. The key provision, regulation 7, establishes a national rapid deployment GIS database with mandatory geo-referenced submissions in formats like GeoJSON or ESRI Shapefile. Non-compliance carries fines of up to R1 million. The regulations also set out land access procedures, compensation frameworks, and dispute resolution pathways. Notably absent are binding turnaround times for municipalities on wayleave applications, a gap the industry had hoped would be addressed. Public comments close in late May 2026.

Icasa moves to mandate national infrastructure database