Icasa is moving to speed up the allocation of “digital dividend” spectrum in South Africa currently used by television broadcasters in a move that could mean better and cheaper broadband is delivered sooner.
A parliamentary portfolio committee has short-listed eight names to send to acting communications minister Jackson Mthembu for appointment to the council of communications regulator Icasa.
Icasa has refused to budge on its decision to “expropriate” a portion of Telkom’s spectrum assets, describing the allegations made by the telecommunications operator as “spurious”.
Icasa will temporarily assign spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands, with licensees required to submit their applications by no later than Thursday.
Communications regulator Icasa is “engaging the sector on possible ways of radio frequency spectrum relief” during the national state of disaster declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
All eyes are on MTN South Africa and Telkom, which have failed to reach an agreement with the Competition Commission to lower data prices within the specified deadline.
Icasa plans to issue an “information memorandum” before the end of the year on the licensing process for high-demand spectrum, finally kicking a process into gear that should have been concluded years ago.
Communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said on Tuesday evening that her department has paid Icasa the first tranche of its annual budget, a day after the communications regulator said it would take her to court to secure the funds.
Icasa on Monday said it has instructed its attorneys to file papers against communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and her department in a dispute over its funding.
Keabetswe Modimoeng has been appointed as interim chair of communications regulator Icasa’s decision-making council following the axing last week of Rubben Mohlaloga.
