Communications regulator Icasa will this week publish the long-awaited invitation to apply (ITA) for so-called high-demand spectrum in the Government Gazette. Here’s what to expect.
Browsing: Keabetswe Modimoeng
Communications regulator Icasa faces its biggest-ever test over the coming six months as it gears up to oversee South Africa’s first-ever auction of broadband telecommunications spectrum.
Icasa will issue two invitations to apply to participate in the spectrum auction and licensing process by no longer than the end of September, the communications regulator said in a statement on Thursday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a small salary increment for councillors at communications regulator Icasa. The new remuneration levels are retrospective with effect from 1 April 2019.
The Democratic Alliance has accused communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams of thumbing her nose at parliament after failing to fill six council vacancies at communications regulator Icasa.
Communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has appointed five new councillors to communications regulator Icasa, returning the former acting chairman, Keabetswe Modimoeng, for a fresh term.
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.