Regulation

South Africa’s ICASA asks for input on spectrum assignment plans

South Africa’s ICASA asks for input on spectrum assignment plans

Regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says it has embarked on a process to make additional high-demand spectrum available for assignment to the providers of mobile communication services.

ICASA has therefore issued a questionnaire to gather input from all stakeholders on the planned licensing process to help ICASA determine how best to assign spectrum in the IMT750 radio frequency band (733MHz–758MHz), IMT800 (790–862MHz), IMT1500 (1427–1518MHz), IMT2300 (2300MHz to 2400MHz), IMT3300 (3300–3400MHz) and IMT3500 (3400–3600MHz).

The IMT designations refer to radio frequency spectrum bands used for International Mobile Telecommunications and identified by the ITU.

ICASA is also considering the inclusion of 80MHz of spectrum previously reserved for the abandoned Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN). This comprises 2 × 10MHz of paired spectrum (FDD) in IMT700 (694–790MHz or 698–806MHz, depending on the region), 30MHz of unpaired spectrum (TDD) in IMT2600 (2500–2690MHz), and 30MHz of unpaired spectrum (TDD) in IMT3500 (3400MHz to 3600MHz).

Before finalising its approach, ICASA says it intends to assess how the proposed licensing process could affect competition. The questionnaire is described as an initial information-gathering step and does not constitute a formal competition assessment.

ICASA is now inviting licensees, industry stakeholders, government ministries, departments and agencies, and members of the public to respond to the questionnaire.

The deadline for submissions is 30 November at 4pm.

As news service ITWeb Africa points out, the last time the telecoms regulator assigned spectrum was in 2022. As we reported at the time, the March 2022 auction was widely deemed a success, with ICASA earning a significant sum for the country’s treasury in a sale that licensed 326MHz of spectrum.

There is no doubt going to be operator demand for new spectrum to support the provision of faster and more widespread high-speed data services. In addition, an auction, if that route is taken, is likely to be viewed by government as a potentially useful revenue-generating exercise.



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