Staff Reporter.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies says that it plans to push forward on changes for TV licences for South Africa – but is specifically excluding smartphones from its list of devices it could potentially charge licence fees for.
In a presentation to parliament this week, the department said that its proposed changes are underscored in a draft White Paper on audiovisuals, which is currently open for public comment until 15 February.
“Issues raised in the draft white paper will broaden the television access definitions, and will strengthen enforcement issues, “it said.
Currently, a TV licence is only required when purchasing a television which is capable of receiving a broadcast signal. A TV licence is valid for twelve months and renewed at the end of the licensing period.
Under the planned changes, a TV licence would also be required to purchase other electronics, including tablets and computers. The department has also hinted at requiring a TV licence for streaming services such as Netflix.
Some of the devices and services which are being considered under this expanded definition include:
- Laptops;
- Tablets;
- IPTV;
- Internet;
- Decoders;
- Set-top boxes.
Smartphones had previously mooted by the department as one of the devices which will require a TV licence. However, it appears that the government has now backtracked on this idea.
The backtrack follows discussions over the last two months, with the department now agreeing that ‘nowhere would people using mobile phones be charged’.
While the white paper is not official policy – and government could still change its mind again – it appears to have drawn a line in sand specifically on the issue of requiring a TV licence for a smartphone.
This is likely because of the logistics involved in requiring a licence for every smartphone, the impact it will have on poorer South Africans, and possible pushback from mobile operators.