Broadcasters don`t have to migrate off channel 65 (spectrum 822-830MHz) in order to accommodate the telecoms sector, the second national operator (SNO) says.
Both sectors could share the spectrum without interfering with the other`s services, it says in its submission to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA).
Last month ICASA issued an invitation for stakeholder comment in the government gazette, on its intention to reallocate channel 65 for non-broadcasting purposes.
The reallocated spectrum could potentially be granted to the SNO and underserviced area licensees (USALs), ICASA confirmed.
USALs were excited by the plan to reallocate the spectrum, and expressed the hope that it would be granted to them. They said having spectrum would make it easier for them to raise venture capital and allow them to provide services using their own infrastructure.
Sharing
In its submission, the SNO proposes ICASA allocate channels 65 and 66 for joint use by broadcasters and telecoms providers. Telecoms providers would then have spectrum allocated to them based on availability of either band within their geographic area.
The benefit of allocating spectrum in this manner is broadcasters would not have to spend resources migrating out of the channel 65 band, says Dr Angus Hay, SNO spokesperson. He says it would be incredibly easy and painless for broadcasters if ICASA were to reallocate the spectrum like this, as all that would be required is for ICASA to coordinate the process.
In the long-term, the move to digital broadcasting will result in more efficient use of spectrum, which means more spectrum will become available, Hay says. He notes many countries allocate spectrum up to 790MHz to broadcasters, with higher spectrum left free for telecoms use.
Hay says telecoms services would not interfere with broadcasting services if spectrum was shared as they propose, as telecoms would only need a small portion. "All we need is 4% of the TV band," he says.
Tests conducted last year on the use of CDMA 2000 (the technology that can be used by telecoms operators in channel 65) showed there would be no interference in broadcasting services, he says.
Stakeholders that took part in the test include Transtel and Eskom, which are shareholders in the SNO, QualComm, MTN and a USAL bidder. The tests were conducted in Johannesburg, he says.
The regulator received 17 submissions by the closing date. The submissions are in hard copy at the ICASA library and can be read by the public, says Vimla Maistry, ICASA media relations manager.
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