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5667

N$5.20

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE​

OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA​

WINDHOEK - 11 February 2015

No. 5667

CONTENTSCONTENTSPage
GENERALNOTICESGENERALNOTICES
No. 32Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia: Notice in terms of Section 53 of the Communica- tions Act, 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009) read with the Regulations Regarding the Submissions of Inter- connection Agreements and Tariffs .......................................................................................................1
No. 33Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia: Notice in terms of Sections 85 and 101 of the and Regulation 19(1) Regarding Licensing Proce- dures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences ........3
No. 34Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia: Notice of Reconsideration in terms of Secton 31 of the and Regulations 11 &20 of the Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences ..........................................................................................................................10
No. 35Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia: Notice in terms of the Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences .................................................................................................................................................11
General NoticesGeneral NoticesGeneral Notices
No. 32COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA2015

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 53 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2009 (ACT NO. 8 OF 2009) READ WITH THE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SUBMISSIONS OF INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS AND TARIFFS

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, in terms of section 53 of the Communications Act 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009) hereinafter referred to as the 'Communications Act') read with regulation 8 of the Regulations Regarding the Submission of Interconnection Agreements and Tariffs as published in Government Gazette No. 4714, Notice No. 126, dated 18 May 2011, herewith gives notice that it has approved the High Speed Broadband Assymetric Permanent Packages as submitted by Telecom Namibia Limited which came into force and effective, from 1 September 2014, notwithstanding date of publication.

REASONS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE TARIFFS:​

7HOHFRP 1DPLELD /LPLWHG KHUHLQDIWHU UHIHUUHG WR DV ´7HOHFRP 1DPLELDµ ÀOHG IRU WKH DSSURYDO of tariffs for High Speed Broadband Asymmetric Permanent packages on 1 July 2014 in terms of section 53 (1) and (7) of the Communications Act.

The proposed tariffs were published for public comments, in General Notice No. 286 in the Government Gazette No. 5534 dated the 15 August 2014. Comments were received from Paratus Telecom (Pty) Ltd in respect of the tariffs, and as such reply comments were required from Telecom Namibia. However, no reply comments were received from Telecom Namibia. The tariffs were submitted on 1 July 2014 and the date of implementation is 1 September 2014, been 60 days from date of submission as required by section 53 (8) of the Communications Act.

High Speed Broadband Asymmetric

Package5M10M15M25M50M75M100M120M150M200M
Downlink Speed5M10M15M25M50M75M100M120M150M200M
Uplink Speed2M5M7M10M15M25M35M40M50M70M
Monthly Charge (N$) (12-month)1,2851,9782,6293,8796,89910,14913,38915,84919,65926,249
Monthly Charge (N$) (24-month)1,1571,7802,3663,4916,2099,13412,05014,26417,69323,624
Monthly Charge (N$) (36-month)1,0921,6812,2353,2975,8648,62711,38113,47216,71022,312

Note: Installation charges of N$222 within minimum rental area and N$333 outside minimum rental area will be applied.

High speed Broadband Symmetric​

Package1M2M5M10M15M25M50M75M100M150M200M
Downlink Speed1M2M5M10M15M25M50M75M100M150M200M
Uplink Speed1M2M5M10M15M25M50M75M100M150M200M
Monthly Charge (N$) (12-month)9991,1751,7092,5953,4795,2559,68914,24518,14927,01936,415
Monthly Charge (N$) (24-month)8991,0581,5382,3363,1314,7308,72012,82116,33424,31732,774
Monthly Charge (N$) (36-month)8499991,4532,2062,9574,4678,23612,10815,42722,96630,953

Installation charges of N$222 within minimum rental area and N$333 outside minimum rental area will be applied.

The tariff packages submitted are competing with the Speedlink packages. The same price will be charged for home and business customers. However, operators will be offered a 15% discount on retail pricing. All packages in this submission will be offered as unlimited/uncapped.

The Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is excluded and charged for separately (customers will have the option to rent or purchase the CPE of their choice).

The tariffs as submitted provide customers with a wider choice of products and services and are at the same time competing against the Speedlink packages also offered by Telecom Namibia.

All requirements in terms of section 53 of the Act that deals with the approval of tariffs have been adhered to as follows:

  1. The tariffs were published as stipulated in section 53(10) for comment and Telecom Namibia stated that the tariff would come into force on 1 September 2014 as required by section 53(8) of the Act that the Licensee has to indicate the date that the tariffs will come into force.
  2. All pertinent information as required by section 53(9) was submitted to the Authority such as the terms and conditions, which includes rights and remedies available to customers in the event of disputes.

In light of the above, the Authority approved the tariffs for High Speed Broadband Asymmetric Permanent packages. Since these tariffs and packages offered are competitive offers, it might create more competitive pressure in the market which might lead to lower prices in the long run. As such the tariffs are reasonable, are not deemed discriminatory or impairing competition.

L.N. JACOBS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

________________

COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

No. 33

2015

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTIONS 85 AND 101 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2009 (ACT NO. 8 OF 2009) AND REGULATION 19(1) REGARDING LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING SERVICE LICENCES AND SPECTRUM USE LICENCES

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, in terms of section 85 and 101 of the read with regulation 19(1) of the 'Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences', in Government Gazette No. 4785, Notice No. 272, dated 29 August 2011 (as amended), herewith gives notice that the application for a Commercial Broadcasting Service License and Spectrum Use Licence for Digital Satellite Television (Pty) Ltd (hereinafter referred to as 'Digisat') Limited has been declined.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REASONS FOR THE DECISION:​

1. INTRODUCTION​

  • i. Digisat submitted a broadcasting licence application to the Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) prior to the commencement of the .

  • ii. Digisat also submitted an application for a broadcasting service licence to the Authority dated 13 March 2013 in terms of section 135(11) of the Communications Act. Digisat submitted all previous correspondence with the Namibian Communications Commission dating back to 19 March 2007 to the Authority. The Authority is therefore, considering this application in terms of Section 135 (10) (11) of the Act.

  • iii. From the outset, it must be noted that because this application was pending before the Namibian Communications Commission, it was dealt with in terms of section 135(10) of the Act and therefore, procedurally the requirements in the Regulations Regarding Transitional

  • Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences will be applicable.

  • iv. As indicated above, the application was amended in terms of section 135(11) to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Communications Act, the Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences, will be used to determine compliance with substantive provisions.

2. BACKGROUND TO APPLICATION​

It is important to note that the correspondence between the Namibian Communications Commission and Digisat was used to validate the application in terms of Section 135 (10) of the Act and Regulations regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences. These various correspondences EHWZHHQ 0ERN ,QYHVWPHQWV &RPSDQ\ /WG RQ ÀOH ZLWK WKH $XWKRULW\ DQG 1&& IRUPV WKH basis for the Authority's decision to consider the application in terms of Section 135(10) of the Communications Act, 2009.

2.1 Background to the application under the Communications Act​

  • i. Mbok Investments Company Ltd submitted a letter to the Authority on 12 June 2012 providing D EDFNJURXQG RQ LWV VWUXFWXUH DQG DIÀOLDWLRQV UDLVLQJ VHYHUDO TXHVWLRQV LQ UHODWLRQ WR GLJLWDO television and also attaching the correspondence between Mbok Investments Company Ltd and the Namibian Communications Commission as referred to above.
  • ii. In January 2013, the Authority conducted an assessment on how it should deal with the applications submitted by Mbok Investments Company Ltd, both to the then Namibia Communications Commission and to the Authority. It was noted that there is ample FRUUHVSRQGHQFH RQ ÀOH WKDW GHPRQVWUDWHV 0ERN ,QYHVWPHQWV &RPSDQ\ /WG ·V GHVLUH LV WR have its services licensed and regulated.
  • iii. The lengthy correspondence with the Namibian Communications Commission evidences that Mbok Investments Company Ltd has been in constant contact with the Namibia Communications Commission in as far as getting its services licensed is concerned. However, it is not clear why Mbok Investments Company Ltd did not submit the information form within 60 days after the commencement of the Act, as required by the Regulations Regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences as published in Government Gazette No. 4737, Notice No. 171 dated 17 June 2011.
  • iv. In the premise, the Authority was of the view that owing to the fact that an application for broadcasting service licence had already been submitted to the Namibia Communications Commission, Mbok Investments Company Ltd must be allowed, to submit an information form and amend its application in terms of section 135(11).
  • v. On 5 February 2013, the Authority directed a letter to Mbok Investments Company Ltd advising that the Company must submit information forms as provided for in the Regulations Regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences. The Authority received an application for a commercial broadcasting service licence from Digisat Satellite Television (Pty) Ltd, owned by the Mbok Family Trust on 15 March 2013.
  • vi. The aforementioned application was accompanied by a spectrum use licence application form indicating that Mbok Investments Company Ltd solely relies on satellite broadcasting and will therefore, not require terrestrial television frequencies to provide broadcasting services.
  • vii. It must be noted that all correspondence with Namibia Communications Commission was in the name of Mbok Investments Company Ltd, however, the forms submitted to CRAN were in the name of Digisat.
  • viii. We will therefore, refer to applicant as Digisat from here going forward.
  • ix. Digisat submitted the following outstanding information as requested by the Authority on 16 th of May 2013 in terms of Regulation 9(8) and (9) of the Regulations regarding Transitional

Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences;

  • (a) The physical address for Digisat Ltd;
  • (b) Programme schedule detailing daily transmission times allocated to different programme types;
  • F &HUWLÀHG FRSLHV RI FRPSDQ\ UHJLVWUDWLRQ
  • G 6WDWHPHQW RI DFFRXQWV VHWWLQJ RXW ÀQDQFLDO UHVRXUFHV DYDLODEOH DQG
  • (e) Expertise and experience of the applicant.

3. PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE​

Following due process in terms of the Regulations Regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences, the Authority published a notice in the Government Gazette 5282, Notice No. 354, dated 12 th September 2013 allowing thirty (30) days for public comment as required by regulation 9(3) of the aforementioned Regulations. No public comments were received and subsequently, no reply comments were requested from Digisat.

4. SUBMISSION TO BOARD FOR APPROVAL​

  • i. On 13 November 2013, the Authority made a submission to the Board for the approval of the issuance of a broadcasting service licence to Digisat.
  • ii. In the submission, the Authority took into account that Digisat has an existing customer base WKDW ZLOO EH DIIHFWHG ÀQDQFLDOO\ VKRXOG D FRPPHUFLDO EURDGFDVWLQJ VHUYLFH OLFHQFH QRW EH issued to Digisat, enabling it to continue with the provision of services. It was further noted that the customers have entered into legally binding agreements with Digisat.
  • iii. The submission further noted that there is limited competition within the subscription based broadcasting market in Namibia, which presents customers with limited choice in selecting television-broadcasting services. It was therefore, recommended that Digisat should be awarded with a commercial broadcasting service licence.
  • iv. The submission was made on circulated board resolution in terms of section 15 of the Communications Act. The recommendation was declined by one of the Directors and was referred to full Board. Please note that it is custom that if a recommendation is declined by one member, it must be discussed at full Board.

5. BOARD MEETING 08 AUGUST 2014​

  • i. At its ordinary meeting held on 8 August 2014, the Board discussed the matter and resolved that:
  • a) The Authority must seek an opinion to ascertain whether the ownership structure submitted by Digisat complies with the provisions of section 85(3) of the Act;
  • b) That the legal opinion must also clarify whether the character of the applicant complies with the provisions of section 85(8) of the Communications Act;
  1. F 7KDW WKH $XWKRULW\ VKRXOG FRQÀUP WKH QDWLRQDOLW\ RI WKH DSSOLFDQW ZLWK WKH 0LQLVWU\ of Home Affairs and Immigration;
  • d) That a letter must be addressed to applicant informing him that his application is still under consideration;
  • e) That it is of the opinion that Digisat is providing services illegally without a license and that the Authority must proceed to invoke the provisions of section 114-116 of the Communications Act.
  • f) That the Authority should issue a media release informing the public that Applicant is not licensed to provide services and that it should cease to provide any broadcasting services with immediate effect.

6. SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES​

6.1 Ownership interest in Digisat​

  • i. Section 85(2) of the Communications Act provides as follows:

Subject to subsection (3) and (4), the Authority may issue a broadcasting licence only to -

  • (a) a Namibian citizen; and
  • (b) D MXULVWLF SHUVRQ RI ZKLFK DW OHDVW SHUFHQW RI WKH VKDUHKROGLQJ LV EHQHÀFLDOO\ owned by Namibian citizens and which is not controlled directly or indirectly by persons who are not Namibian citizens and which has its principal place of business RU UHJLVWHUHG RIÀFH LQ 1DPLELD (Our emphasis).
  • ii. The application submitted to the Authority on 15 March 2013, states that Digisat is owned wholly by the Mbok Family Trust. The Deed of Trust as submitted by Mr. Mbok to the $XWKRULW\ LQGLFDWHV WKDW ÀYH RI 0U 0ERN·V FKLOGUHQ DUH WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV +RZHYHU WKH $XWKRULW\ REWDLQHG D FHUWLÀHG FRS\ RI WKH 7UXVW 'HHG IURP WKH RIÀFH RI WKH 0DVWHU ZKLFK UHÁHFWV WKDW IRXU RI 0U 0ERN·V FKLOGUHQ DUH WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV RI WKH 0ERN )DPLO\ 7UXVW
  • iii. Clause 7.6 of the Trust Deed reads as follows:

´7KH RIÀFH RI D WUXVWHH VKDOO EH GHHPHG WR KDYH EHHQ YDFDWHG LI WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH 7UXVWHHV WKHQ LQ RIÀFH E\ ZULWWHQ LQVWUXPHQW UHTXLUHV KLP RU KHU WR UHVLJQ 3URYLGHG WKDW LW VKDOO QRW EH FRPSHWHQW IRU WKH RWKHU 7UXVWHHV WR UHTXLUH WKH IRXQGHU WR UHVLJQ DV a Trustee'.

  • iv. Clause 18 of the Trust Deed provides that the trustee has 'absolute' discretion with regard to WKH DSSURSULDWLRQ RI LQFRPH DQG FDSLWDO RI WKH 7UXVW IRU WKH HGXFDWLRQ RI WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV
  • v. It is trite law that a Trust is a separate legal entity, but neither a legal persona nor a juristic person. A trust is created by a contract referred to as a Trust Deed and does not have VKDUHKROGHUV 7KH HOHPHQWV RI D WUXVW DUH D IRXQGHU D WUXVWHH DQG D EHQHÀFLDU\ 7KH FRPPRQ law does not recognize a Trust as a juristic person.
  • vi. The critical question that the Authority considered in ascertaining compliance with the SURYLVLRQV RI VHFWLRQ E LV ZKHWKHU WKH VKDUHKROGLQJ LQ 'LJLVDW LV EHQHÀFLDOO\ RZQHG by Namibian citizen/s and not controlled directly or indirectly by persons who are not Namibian citizens.
  • vii. Therefore, in order for Digisat to be awarded a licence, the Authority must amongst other matters, establish the following:
  1. D 7KDW DW OHDVW SHU FHQW RI LWV VKDUHKROGLQJ LV EHQHÀFLDOO\ RZQHG E\ 1DPLELDQ citizens;
  • b) That it is not controlled by foreign nationals (whether directly or indirectly); and
  • c) That it has its principal place of business registered in Namibia.
  • viii. The Authority notes that the provisions of section 85(2) are not in the alternative to each other and is of the view that the Legislature intended that all the above requirements must be met by an applicant.
  • ix. The application for the broadcasting service and for the spectrum use licence indicates that Mr. Mbok, one of the directors of Digisat, is a foreign national (Cameroonian). The question to be asked to satisfy Section 85(2) (b) is thus whether Mr. Mbok controls (directly or indirectly) the company in question. The Authority is of the view that the answer to that

question is intertwined with the fact that the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mbok Family Trust and that the foreign national is the only Trustee in the said trust.

7KH EHQHÀFLDO RZQHUVKLS RI 'LJLVDW​

  • i. As indicated above, the facts reveal that Digisat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mbok Family Trust. Since the trust was incorporated in Namibia, the next enquiry is whether it RZQV WKH VKDUHV IRU LWV RZQ EHQHÀW RU ZKHWKHU WKH EHQHÀW LQ WKH VKDUHKROGLQJ LV HQMR\HG E\ other persons. This is referred to as the conduit principle.
  • ii. The Board in considering the aforesaid question took due regard to the law and legal events governing ownership of entities.
  • iii. A scrutiny of the trust deed shows that:
  • a) The founder and sole Trustee is Mr. Antonie Mbok (clause 4.1 of the trust deed); and
  1. E 7KH EHQHÀFLDULHV DUH 0U 0ERN·V ÀYH FKLOGUHQ -XQH DPHQGPHQW SUHYLRXVO\ IRXU EHQHÀFLDULHV 0DUFK GHHG
  • iv. The Authority is of the view that in order to determine whether or not 51 per cent of the shares in Digisat are EHQHÀFLDOO\ RZQHG by Namibian citizens, one must pierce the veil of the 0ERN )DPLO\ 7UXVW DQG GHWHUPLQH WR ZKRP WKH VKDUHKROGLQJ EHQHÀWV DFFUXH 7KH $XWKRULW\ is of the further view that one way of doing this is by looking at the Trust Deed itself in order WR GHWHUPLQH WKH TXHVWLRQ RI YHVWLQJ RI WKH EHQHÀWV RI WKH 7UXVW

6.3 Is Digisat controlled (directly or indirectly) by foreign nationals?​

  • i. The Authority is of the view that neither the Communications Act nor the Companies Act FRQWDLQV D GHÀQLWLRQ RI FRQWURO +RZHYHU DQ DVVHVVPHQW RI WKH ZRUG UHYHDOV WKH IROORZLQJ

Effective: KDYLQJ D GHÀQLWH RU GHVLUHG HIIHFW 3RZHUIXO LQ HIIHFW LPSUHVVLYH DFWXDO H[LVWLQJ LQ IDFW UDWKHU WKDQ RIÀFLDOO\ RU WKHRUHWLFDOO\

Manage: Organise, regulate, take or have charges or control of; to be in charge of management.

  • ii. According to Goosen, the use of the adjective 'effective' in the phrase 'place of effective management' implies realistic, positive management. Goosen argues that being a director or manager in name rather than in reality will not constitute effective management. This will PHUHO\ FRQVWLWXWH WKHRUHWLFDO PDQDJHPHQW EXW QRW SURYH DFWXDO RU RIÀFLDO PDQDJHPHQW

  • iii. In the premise, the Authority is of the view that this proposition of law is squarely in keeping with the legislative intent under section 85(2) in that it seeks to pierce the veil and seeks to determine who really manages Digisat.

  • iv. Bearing in mind that there is particular set of guidelines in the Act, it is proposed that the following be used to determine the control of a juristic person (the set is by no means an exhaustive list);

  • a) The center of top level management of the entity;

  • b) The functions performed at the principal place of business;

  • c) The business operations of the entity and who performs them;

  • d) Who directs or makes management and commercial decisions in relation to the entity;

  • e) The experience and skills of the directors, managers, trustees or designated managers who purport to direct or manage the entity;

  • f) The nature of the powers conferred upon the representative of the entity; and

  • g) The manner in which those powers are exercised by the representative and the purpose of conferring the powers to the representatives.

  • v. Having regard to the above guidelines and the exposition above, the Authority is of the view that Digisat is controlled by Mr. Mbok, a foreign national. The Authority follows the reasoning in ITC 388 above that the Mbok Family Trust controls Digisat by virtue of the trust being the sole shareholder of Digisat. The Authority is of the further view that a trust acts through its trustees and if Mr. Mbok is the only Trustee then he effectively and indirectly controls the affairs of Digisat.

  1. YL 7KH DSSOLFDWLRQ EHIRUH WKH $XWKRULW\ UHÁHFWV WKDW 0U 0ERN LV D &DPHURRQLDQ FLWL]HQ DQG thus not a Namibian citizen. It is also trite law that the acquisition and loss of Namibian citizenship is provided for in Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution and reserved for natural persons. Thus it is impossible for a trust or a legal or juristic person to acquire Namibian citizenship. Consequently, the shares in Digisat are neither owned nor controlled by Namibian citizen/s.

'RHV 'LJLVDW KDYH D SODFH RI EXVLQHVV RU UHJLVWHUHG RIÀFH LQ 1DPLELD"​

  • L 7KH &RPSDQLHV $FW $FW 1R RI GHÀQHV D ¶SODFH RI EXVLQHVV· WR PHDQ 'any place where the company transacts or holds itself out as transacting business and includes a VKDUH WUDQVIHU RU VKDUH UHJLVWUDWLRQ RIÀFH µ
  • ii. The facts from the application form indicate that Digisats' place of business is in Namibia. The Authority is mindful of the fact that in its correspondence, Digisat has changed its place of business a number of times.

6.5 THE CHARACTER OF MR. ANTONIE MBOK​

  • i. Section 85 (8) of the Act provides that:

'When considering an application for the issue of broadcasting licence the Authority must have regard to -

  • (a) the character of the applicant or if the applicant is a body corporate, the character of its directors'.
  • LL 7KH $XWKRULW\ QRWHV WKDW GXULQJ WKH ZHHN RI ² -DQXDU\ WKH &RQÀGDQWH QHZVSDSHU issued an article on Mr. Antonie Mbok, who is a director of Digisat, concerning contracts KH HQWHUHG LQWR ZLWK KLV VHHPLQJO\ GLVVDWLVÀHG FOLHQWV WR RIIHU FHUWDLQ VHUYLFHV ZKLFK KH DSSDUHQWO\ GLG QRW IXOÀOO \HW KH LV DSSDUHQWO\ GHGXFWLQJ VSHFLÀF DPRXQWV IURP WKHLU DFFRXQWV in respect of these services.
  • LLL $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH &RQÀGDQWH RQH FOLHQW FODLPV QRW WR KDYH KDG DQ\ NQRZOHGJH WKDW VKH concluded a contract with Digisat and that Mr. Mbok misrepresented her to do so. Two of Digisats' clients have opened cases against Mr. Mbok with the Namibian Police, which are still under investigation.
  • iv. On 24 September 2014, the Authority received a complaint in which the Complainant stated WKDW 'LJLVDW LV UHFHLYLQJ SD\PHQWV IURP KHU IRU EURDGFDVWLQJ VHUYLFHV DQG VKH LV QRW VDWLVÀHG with their services. Complainant provided the Authority with her bank account statements UHÁHFWLQJ GHGXFWLRQV WR 'LJLVDW LQ WKLV UHJDUG
  • v. During the week of 13 to 18 December 2013 in an article published in the Bottom Line Consumer Newspaper, dated 14 March 2014, Mr. Mbok was also accused of 'dubious

decoder scam' . The article about Digisat under the title 'Satellite television provider accused of fraud by customers' , in which Digisat is accused of deducting money from its former customer's banking accounts, despite the fact that they cancelled their subscription.

  • vi. Section 85(8) of the Communications Act provides as follows:
  • (8) When considering an application for the issue of a broadcasting licence the Authority must have regard to -
  1. (a) the character of the applicant or, if the applicant is a body corporate, the character of its directors;
  • vii. By the use of the word 'must' in the section, the Legislature clearly deemed the character of individual applicants or directors as a grave consideration. After due consideration of the law, the Authority is of the view that it can only use evidence of character against an applicant if same has been established.
  • viii. The Authority noted that the allegations against Mr. Mbok are still being investigated, but there is no pronouncement on the character of Mr. Mbok known to the Authority and therefore, the Authority is of the view that it cannot successfully invoke section 85(8)(a).
  • ix. The Authority is further constrained and mindful of the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty as enshrined in Article 12(1) (d) of the Namibian Constitution.

7. (;3(57,6( (;3(5,(1&( $1' ),1$1&,$/ 5(6285&(6​

  • L 'LJLVDW VXEPLWWHG WKH QHFHVVDU\ ÀQDQFLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG SURJUDPPH VFKHGXOHV WR WKH Authority as required by regulation 5(2) of Regulations regarding licensing procedures.
  • ii. The Authority is of the further view that no investments would be needed by Digisat other than the capital to purchase the decoders and operational costs. The Authority is also mindful of the fact that Digisat is already providing services.

8. TECHNICAL BROADCASTING STANDARDS​

  • L 7KHUH DUH FXUUHQWO\ QR VSHFLÀF WHFKQLFDO FRQGLWLRQV WKDW 'LJLVDW ZRXOG KDYH WR FRPSO\ ZLWK for the selling of decoders and installing satellite televisions dishes.
  • ii. If Digisat were to be granted a licence, it would have to comply with type approval UHTXLUHPHQWV RQFH WKH UHJXODWLRQV DUH ÀQDOL]HG

9. APPLICATION FOR SPECTRUM USE LICENCE​

  • i. As indicated above, the application was amended in terms of section 135(11) to comply with the licensing provisions of the Communications Act, which are set out in the Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures. Regulation 4 of the Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licenses and Spectrum Use Licences requires the applicant of a broadcasting service licence to submit a spectrum use licence application together with the service licence application.
  • ii. The Authority notes that Digisat indicated on their application form that no spectrum will be utilized to deliver satellite-broadcasting services and thus no spectrum use licence application was submitted to the Authority. The Authority accepts this submission, because it is common course that Digisat does not utilize spectrum.

10. DECISION​

In light of the above, Digisat does not comply with the provisions of Section 85 of the Act, read with regulation 10(10) of the Regulations Regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licenses and Spectrum Use Licenses, being that Digisat is owned and controlled by a Cameroonian national. In light thereof and pursuant to the provisions of section 85(10) of the Act, the application for a Commercial Broadcasting Service Licence by Digisat Satellite Television (Pty) Ltd is refused, effective from date of publication in the Gazette.

7KH IXOO LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH GHFLVLRQ FDQ EH REWDLQHG DW WKH RIÀFHV RI WKH $XWKRULW\

L.N. JACOBS​

CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

________________

COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

No. 34

2015

NOTICE OF RECONSIDERATION IN TERMS OF SECTON 31 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2009 (ACT NO. 8 OF 2009) AND REGULATIONS 11 & 20 OF THE REGULATIONS REGARDING LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING SERVICE LICENCES AND SPECTRUM USE LICENCES​

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia in terms of section 31 of the Communications Act (No 8 of 2009) read with regulations 11 and 20 of the 'Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licence, in Government Gazette No. 4785, General Notice No. 272 dated 29 August 2011 (as amended) herewith gives notice that 1DÀVK 7UDGLQJ && W D $PHVKR )0 has submitted an application for reconsideration, dated 14 January 2015. The application is in respect of a decision by the Authority to decline the application for a broadcasting service licence and spectrum use licence, which decision was published in Government Gazette No. 5672, General Notice No. 435, dated 15 December 2014.

The reasons and grounds for the application for reconsideration are contained in the application ZKLFK FDQ EH LQVSHFWHG DW WKH RIÀFHV RI WKH $XWKRULW\

The public may submit comments in writing to the Authority within a period of fourteen (14) days from the date of publication of this notice in the Gazette.

1DÀVK 7UDGLQJ && W D $PHVKR )0 may submit written reply comments within fourteen (14) days from the due date of the written public comments.

All written submissions must contain the name and contact details of the person making the written submissions and the name and contact details of the person for whom the written submission is made, if different and be clear and concise.

All written submissions and reply comments must be made either physically or electronically -

  • %\ KDQG WR WKH KHDG RIÀFHV RI WKH $XWKRULW\ QDPHO\ &RPPXQLFDWLRQ +RXVH 5REHUW Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek;

  • %\ SRVW WR WKH KHDG RIÀFHV RI WKH $XWKRULW\ QDPHO\ 3ULYDWH %DJ :LQGKRHN

  • (3) By electronic mail to the following address: legal@cran.na;

  • (4) By facsimile to the following facsimile number: +264 61 222790; or

  • (5) By fax to e-mail to: 0886550852.

L.N. JACOBS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

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COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

No. 35

2015

NOTICE IN TERMS OF THE REGULATIONS REGARDING LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING SERVICE LICENCES AND SPECTRUM USE LICENCES​

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, in terms of section 92 and section 135 of the Communications Act, 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009) read with Regulations 19 of the 'Regulations Regarding Licensing Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licence, in Government Gazette No. 4785, General Notice No. 272 dated 29 August 2011 (as amended) herewith gives notice that it has made a determination that the licences issued to Iburst Namibia (Pty) Ltd by the Namibian Communications Commission have expired and are no longer valid.

REASONS FOR THE AUTHORITY'S DECISION​

1.1 INTRODUCTION​

On 29 July 2008, IBurst Namibia Wire (Pty) Ltd (hereinafter referred to as 'IBurst') was issued a private wireless telecommunications licence and a licence to operate a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite station by the then Namibia Communications Commission. IBurst was also issued (on the 03 rd of November 2008) with the following frequencies: Point to multipoint 1787 - 1797 MHz (including the guard band) access method TDD and point to point: CH 04_14599.00/15019.00 MHz; CH 05 - 14627.00/15047.000 MHz and CH 06 - 14655.000 / 15075.000 MHz. The licence prohibited the offering of any voice services.

On 10 November 2011, IBurst submitted an information form in terms of sections 92 and 135(2) of the Communications Act, 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009) hereinafter referred to as the 'Act'). The form indicated that IBurst would build, maintain and use a telecommunications network utilising various technologies. The form further indicated that the network will enable them to provide data and voice services including, but not limited to data transmission, Internet access, video conferencing, videophone etc.

In a letter dated 17 July 2014 addressed to the Authority from Iburst's Legal Practitioners, SXUVXDQW WR D PHHWLQJ KHOG EHWZHHQ WKH SDUWLHV ,%XUVW VWDWHG WKDW WKH OLFHQFH ZDV IRU D À[HG period of 5 years and that it lapsed on 28 July 2013.

The provisions of regulation 9(10)(b)(i) of the Regulations regarding Transitional Procedures for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Service Licences and Spectrum Use Licences 1 are DSSOLFDEOH WR WKH WUDQVLWLRQ RI OLFHQFHV DQG VSHFLÀFDOO\ WR /LFHQFHV FRQWHPSODWHG LQ VHFWLRQV 92 and 135(2) of the Communications Act, (8 of 2009 hereinafter referred to as the 'Act').

Section 92(1) and 135(2) of the Act makes the Act applicable to licences issued in terms of the previous statute being the Namibian Communications Act 2 . It is a provision aimed at continuity and transition, it is however, clear that in order for the transition and continuity to take place the Authority must, within a period of six (6) months from the commencement of the Act, review all existing broadcasting licences and issue a broadcasting licence in question.

The word 'must' in section 92(2) of the Act shows that the legislature intends to cast a duty on the Authority to review all existing licences issued in terms of the previous Act and where appropriate, to issue licences in the relevant categories.

The effect of section 92 (read with section 135 of the Act is to transition the licences from the old dispensation and bring them into the fray of the Communications Act and concomitantly under the control and regulation of the Authority. It must be noted that Parliament clearly intended this to be done within (6) months from the date of coming into effect of the said Act. The Act commenced on 18 May 2011.

The question that arose was, whether the licence issued to IBurst Wireless (Pty) Ltd has expired. It should be noted that the collective effect of sections 92 and 135 is to make the Act applicable to licences issued under repealed legislation. As a result of Iburst Wireless (Pty) Ltd not paying the required licence fees the Authority did not review the licence in question and as a result of lack of review the licence was not transitioned. Further section 135(4) of the Act provides that in reviewing the licence in question, the Authority may not change the period for which it was originally issued.

The synopsis of the issue is that the transitional provisions under the Act have not been met, because the Authority did not review the service and spectrum use licence in question within the six (6) months prescribed by section 92(2) of the Act. The conclusion is therefore, that both licences were not transitioned and consequently, the provisions of the Communications Act do not apply to this matter. It further follows that the Authority is not entitled to charge IBurst the licence fees it did under the Act and the regulations.

Clause 7 of the service licence provides that:

'This licence shall come into effect on the date of issue and shall remain valid for a period RI ÀYH \HDUV IURP GDWH XQOHVV UHYRNHG LQ WHUPV RI FRQGLWLRQ µ

The effect of sections 92 and 135 (2) is to make the Act applicable to licenses issued under repealed legislation. As mentioned above, due to a lack of review by the Authority, the licence in question was not transitioned. Hence, the sections mentioned above do not apply to service licences. Similarly, the spectrum use licences were also not transitioned in terms of sections 92 and 135(2) of the Act. Therefore, both the service and spectrum use licences in question are thus not valid.

1 The said Regulations are contained in Government Gazette 4737 of 17th June 2011

2 Namibian Communications Act No. 4 of 2009.

In light of a foregoing, the Authority was unable to review and subsequently transition the licences issued to Iburst Namibia (Pty) Ltd, within a period of six months as prescribed in section 92(2).

Due to the fact that the licences could not be reviewed and transitioned in terms of sections 92(2) and 135 of the Act, the Act is not applicable to the licences and as a result, the licence fees charged were not due and payable to the Authority.

1.3 DETERMINATION BY THE AUTHORITY​

In light of the above, the Authority made a determination that the licences issued to Iburst Namibia (Pty) Ltd by the then Namibia Communications Commission have expired on the 28 th of July 2013 as indicated in clause 7 of the licences and are no longer valid as they were not reviewed and transitioned to the new dispensation.

L.N. JACOBS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF NAMIBIA​

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