South African Telecoms Regulator Cancels 2,100 Ham Licenses

South Africa’s telecoms regulator ICASA has cancelled 2,100 Amateur Radio licenses — believed to be more than one-third of the total number — for non-payment of license fees, South African Radio League (SARL) News has reported.

At a quarterly SARL/ICASA liaison meeting in April, ICASA confirmed that 2,100 Amateur Radio licenses had been dropped from the rolls. Over the past few months, SARL has been reminding radio amateurs to make sure their license fee payments are up to date. Last December, the SARL e-mailed members who were in arrears and whose licenses were about to be cancelled. More recently another 143 members were notified.

ICASA sends invoices at the beginning of each year, but many do not reach their destination, most often because mailing addresses have not been updated. Those whose licenses have been voided will have to reapply with ICASA. — Thanks to Southgate Amateur Radio News