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The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has finalised the identification of seven radio frequency bands for upcoming auction and licensing, part of a process of more than tripling the amount of available high-demand spectrum.
The planned assignment of these bands to their highest-value users thorough a competitive auction process will provide an important stimulus to the further development and deployment of mobile services, Icasa said in a statement on Tuesday. This is aimed at reducing the cost to communicate, increasing universal access and service and providing users with a wide range of value-added services.
The seven radio frequency bands span the low and medium frequencies between the ranges of 700MHz to 3 600Mhz, which have been designated worldwide for broadband mobile systems.
Icasa had announced the second phase of its spectrum licensing process in August, starting a comment process, and in March it had raised R14.48 billion when completing the initial auction of high-demand spectrum, having expected to raise about R8 billion. Network operators Cell C, Liquid, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom, and Vodacom took part in the bidding process, picking up radio frequency spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2600MHz, and 3500MHz bands. Mobile operators use the spectrum frequencies to expand their network coverage and rollout new technologies such as 4G and 5G.
Icasa said on Tuesday it would shortly engage in further consultations on three additional bands, and has adopted a phased approach to enhance competition.
"Finalising these Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans marks an important milestone in the allocation and assignment of high-demand spectrum for mobile communications services, applications and content," said Icasa acting chair Charley Lewis in the statement.
"The authority is determined to push ahead with identifying and making available further spectrum as an important contribution to economic growth, job creation and social development."
