The Government of Seychelles has introduced a new legal framework governing communications licensing. It comes with the enactment of the Communications (Licensing) Regulations, 2026, issued under the Communications Act, 2023. The new regulations replace the previous Licences (Broadcasting and Telecommunication) Regulations, 2021, while allowing existing licences to remain valid until their expiry.
The paper for the Statutory Instrument was presented in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 10 January 2026.
Statutory Instruments (SI) are documents drafted by a government department to make changes to the law. They are published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI. Statutory Instruments are a form of legislation. They allow the provisions of an Act to be brought into force. They also allow those provisions to be altered without Parliament having to pass a new Act.
The regulations create a more structured licensing system. It covers broadcasting services, electronic communications, radio frequency spectrum, dealer licences, and special or experimental licences. Applicants seeking a broadcasting, facilities-based, or services-based operator licence must submit both business and technical plans. The Seychelles Communications Regulatory Authority may request additional information. It may also inspect installations before it decides whether to grant or refuse a licence.
Detailed fee structures and licence durations are set out across the communications sector. A commercial sound broadcasting licence is set at SCR100,000 per year with a five-year validity, while commercial television broadcasting services require payment of SCR250,000 or 0.5 per cent of annual gross receipts, whichever is higher, for a 15-year period. Subscription television broadcasting services attract SCR800,000 or 0.8 per cent of annual gross receipts for the same duration.
In the electronic communications sector, internet access providers are required to pay SCR40,000 per year or two per cent of annual gross receipts, while public mobile communications and public telephone services are subject to fees equivalent to 10 per cent of gross annual receipts. The regulations also provide detailed licensing provisions for internet resale services, mobile number portability administration, submarine cable network services, and a wide range of radio frequency spectrum uses, including satellite communications, broadcasting transmitters, and private mobile radio networks.
Where a broadcasting or telecommunications licence is granted, the licence holder is authorised to install and operate related radio communication equipment in accordance with the licence conditions. Licence holders must operate only on authorised frequencies, allow inspection of equipment, and comply with licence terms. Renewal applications must be submitted at least three months before licence expiry, and unpaid licence fees attract a monthly surcharge of 10 per cent.
The regulations also outline procedures for licence modification, transfer, and appeals to the Tribunal where an application is rejected. Licences issued for experimental purposes are exempt from licence fees, a measure aimed at encouraging innovation in the communications sector.