South Africa consults on redefining universal access and service to include broadband: comments close on 30 October 2026

South Africa consults on redefining universal access and service to include broadband: comments close on 30 October 2026

2 October 2026 — The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (Usaasa) published discussion documents in the Government Gazette on 1 October 2026 on whether the country's definition of universal access and universal service should be updated. The current definition is a ministerial determination from February 2010. Comments on both documents close on 30 October 2026, TechCentral reported on 2 October.

Not yet independently verified. This rests on TechCentral’s report; Usaasa’s website did not load from our location and the Gazette notice was not read. The time of day for comments is not stated. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

What is proposed

According to TechCentral:

• A "targeted revision" of the definition is Usaasa's preferred option. It keeps the distinction between shared community access and services for households and individuals, but adds broadband and emergency communications.
• Technology neutral: satellite, wireless and fixed services would be treated alike if they meet the required service attributes.
• No numbers yet: the document proposes no speed, price or distance benchmarks; those would come later in a separate instrument.
• A second document covers who counts as a "needy person" for subsidies and how applications and payments would work.
• The Minister has also approved the first manual for the Universal Service and Access Fund, separating subsidies from project grants, with principles including competition, value for money, technology neutrality and performance-based funding.

TechCentral notes that the government has said it intends to abolish Usaasa, and that the last universal-access targets lapsed more than 14 years ago.

Why it matters

The definition decides what the Universal Service and Access Fund pays for. Including broadband, and treating satellite and fixed wireless on equal terms with fibre, would open subsidies to more kinds of provider, including low-earth-orbit satellite operators and wireless ISPs serving rural areas.

Who should respond

• Mobile operators, ISPs, fixed-wireless and satellite providers in South Africa, especially those serving rural and low-income areas.
• Companies planning to apply for the fund's subsidies or grants, given the new manual.
• Municipalities and community networks with a stake in shared access points.

Read the documents in the Gazette and submit comments by 30 October.

Sources

• TechCentral: Usaasa universal access consultation — 2 October 2026