Connecting Africa is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

4G/5G

SA regulator offers 'provisional spectrum' ahead of 2022 auction

Article Image
South Africa's telecoms operators were expecting to be forced to return temporary spectrum at the end of November but have now been given a slight reprieve after the SA regulator announced it was opening applications for licenses for what it's calling "provisional" spectrum.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) said in a statement it will make more spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2300MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz bands available "for provisional assignment" from December 1, 2021.

Applications need to be submitted by no later than 16h00 on November 17 and ICASA will make a final decision by no later than November 26, 2021.

The original temporary spectrum was allocated in April 2020 to help operators meet the spike in broadband service demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its end-date has been extended a number of times but last month ICASA said telcos had to return the spectrum by November 30, 2021.

Operators have used the temporary spectrum to improve 4G services and to launch 5G services as they wait for the permanent assignment of spectrum at an auction planned for March 2022.

In October, Telkom SA took ICASA to court to try to stop the regulator from forcing operators to return the temporary spectrum. A few days later, MTN and Vodacom joined the court battle .

"ICASA is not a spectrum-hoarding regulator. All we want is ultimately a competitive, transparent, and all-inclusive spectrum licensing regime and plans are afoot in that regard," said ICASA's chairperson, Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, this week.

"The provisional spectrum licensing arrangement is an improved pro-competitive interim measure but is not a permanent process considering its limited participatory scope. This provisional arrangement is tailored to deal with any network issues which may affect the provision of services to consumers in the intervening period, he added.

ICASA said the provisional assignment of spectrum is part of the new ICT COVID-19 National State of Disaster Regulations, 2021 and the spectrum will be valid for a seven-month period ending in June 2022, or three months after the termination of the National State of Disaster, whichever comes first.

The spectrum also comes with an application fee, an acquisition fee and a spectrum license utilization fee.

Related posts:

*Top image source: Business photo created by aopsan - www.freepik.com.

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa

Innovation hub

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Key adoption areas for machine learning in Africa

ICT analyst Francis Hook identifies some of the key sectors that could be positively impacted by machine learning, including education, government services, healthcare and climate tech.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

More videos

Partner perspectives

All Partner Perspectives

Sponsored video

More videos

Industry announcements

More Industry announcements

Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
More Upcoming events

Africa Tech Perspectives

Story

Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

More Africa Tech perspectives

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up


Sign Up
Tag id test-002