The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs) for specific radio communications systems for public consultation.
According to the telecoms regulator, the assignment plans have been published for the following frequency bands: 335.4MHz to 380MHz, 380MHz to 399.9MHz, 406.1MHz to 410MHz, 410MHz to 430MHz, 440MHz to 450MHz, 1 518MHz to 1 525MHz and 156.8375MHz to 174MHz.
These draft RFSAPs of specific radio communications systems aim to update and improve the usage of non-International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) radio frequency spectrum in certain priority bands, in terms of section 34(16) of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) No 36 of 2005.
In August, ICASA published an information memorandum indicating the authority’s intention to initiate the second phase of the licensing process, and make radio frequency spectrum available to prospective licensees to provide mobile broadband wireless access services in the low and mid radio frequency bands.
The purpose of the notice was to solicit views from interested stakeholders regarding the IMT radio frequency spectrum bands to be considered by the authority during the second phase of the IMT licensing process.
The telecoms regulator expects to conclude this process by March 2023.
The planned second phase of IMT spectrum, also known as high-demand spectrum, came six months after ICASA concluded the initial process in March.
Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain, Telkom and Vodacom responded to the invitation to apply and qualified to participate in the licensing process.
The main auction stage comprised 58 rounds of bidding between the six bidders.
At the conclusion of the process, Cell C settled for the 10MHz at 3.5GHz. MTN successfully secured the 2x10MHz in 800MHz, 40MHz of 2 600MHz and 40MHz of 3 500MHz band.
Telkom picked up the 20MHz at 800MHz and 22MHz at 3.5GHz bands, while Rain clinched the 20MHz at 700MHz and 20MHz at 2.6GHz.
Vodacom secured a spectrum portfolio that includes 2 x 10MHz in the 700MHz band, 1 x 80MHz in the 2 600MHz band and 1 x 10MHz in the 3 500MHz band.
At the conclusion of the spectrum allocation process, ICASA said there was one unsold spectrum lot of 2x10MHz in the IMT800 band. This lot was to be licensed by the authority in future.
During the historic spectrum auction earlier this year, ICASA raised R14.4 billion after setting a target of R8 billion.
In a statement on Friday, ICASA says the migration plans set out in the draft RFSAPs cover frequency bands allocated to various radio communication services and identified for the deployment of specific applications of technologies, which are assigned on a technology-neutral basis.
It explains that each draft plan details the requirements for using a frequency band in accordance with the allocation and other information in the National Radio Frequency Plan, Gazette No 46088.
Details of each RFSAP include radio system technical characteristics, frequency channelling, coordination, the required migration of existing band users and the expected assignment method.
In drafting the plans, the authority considered the need to minimise additional infrastructure investment, and to allow time for customer adoption of the services of the new system in accordance with the harmonised standardisation requirements of the International Telecommunication Union.
These cover applications such as Broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief, Single Frequency Applications, Broadband Fixed Wireless Applications and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle applications.
“Various developments have taken place since the original development of the Radio Frequency Migration Plans of 2013 and 2019, and South Africans have given us their support to ensure that spectrum – a scarce national resource – benefits South Africa, its citizens, and its socio-economic development in many areas and in multiple ways,” says councillor Yolisa Kedama, chairperson of the ICASA Council Committee responsible for developing these draft RFSAPs.
Interested parties are invited to make written submissions on any of these draft RFSAPs, in both MS Word and PDF formats.
Submissions must be received by 16:00 on Friday, 13 January 2023. Written representations or enquiries may be directed by e-mail to: Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho; email: rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za, cc: jdikgale@icasa.org.za.
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