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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has announced that it has granted licences to six electronic communications network operators for provisional radio frequency spectrum under the new ICT COVID-19 National State of Disaster Regulations, 2021.
ICASA said the licences are valid for a period of seven months, commencing from 1 December 2021, and ending on 30 June 2022 – or three months after the termination of the National State of Disaster – whichever comes first.
The Authority had received 6 applications by 17 November 2021 from: Rain Networks, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and MTN and all were granted licences.
All the applications for provisional spectrum assignments were considered in accordance with the criteria and conditions stipulated in the ICT COVID-19 National State of Disaster Regulations, the Authority said.
The licences are issued in respect of radio frequency spectrum for the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands.
Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, Chairperson of ICASA expressed his gratitude to all the applicants, and emphasised the need to use these provisional assignments as a step towards urgently finalising the permanent high-demand spectrum licensing process.
“This provisional spectrum assignment remains an interim measure, intended to improve communication services for consumers in the intervening period, with the goal being to permanently license the spectrum through an auction commencing in March 2022. This provisional licensing phase attempts temporarily to address competition concerns and levy appropriate fees, but a more all-inclusive regime will be yielded through a competitive bidding approach, ‘ says Dr Modimoeng.
ICASA said through this provisional spectrum assignment arrangement and its related fees (for acquisition, spectrum usage and application), the Authority will in the short term raise about R200 million for the national fiscus.
The authority also state that, this provisional radio frequency spectrum regime is confirmation that the temporary spectrum issued in April 2020 ceases to exist on 30 November 2021, and that the provisional spectrum assignment arrangement becomes effective from 1 December 2021.
For a full list of provisional assignments click here.
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