ICASA researches sharing channel 65

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 10 Jul 2006

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) will undertake research to determine the technical feasibility of broadcasting and non-broadcasting services sharing channels 65 and 66 (822MHz to 830MHz).

The study will assist in the formulation of a sharing plan which will include sharing criteria and the appropriate protection ratio.

The decision is the outcome of the regulator`s enquiry to determine whether channel 65 should be reassigned for non-broadcasting purposes. The announcement was published on the 7 July, in Government Gazette number 29014.

The winners, if the spectrum is reallocated for non-broadcasting purposes, would be the second national operator (SNO) and the underserviced area licensees (USALs).

USALs have been waiting for spectrum allocation since they were granted licences in December 2004.

However, the reallocation would also impact negatively on Sentech, MNet and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, as they would incur migration costs, as well as the inconvenience of moving to another channel.

Compromise

The decision by ICASA to add channel 66 to the mix, and look at the possibility of sharing spectrum by broadcasters and telecoms providers, is in line with the written submission by the SNO.

Telecoms providers would then have spectrum allocated to them based on availability of either band within their geographic area, said Angus Hay, spokesperson for the SNO.

ICASA notes the findings were based on significant input from stakeholders. The regulator received 17 written submissions, and a public hearing was held late in May to gain input from stakeholders, a spokesperson said previously.

The regulator scheduled a public meeting to map the way forward for 11 July, says Calvo Mawela, ICASA`s manager of broadcasting spectrum.