The communications regulator has received more than 40 written submissions on the licensing of broadband spectrum suitable for building 4G/LTE and 5G networks in South Africa.
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Ahead of publication of the Competition Commission’s final report flowing from its inquiry in the data services market, expected later on Monday, TechCentral republishes this column from editor Duncan McLeod.
Remgro-controlled CIVH is quietly becoming a serious player in South Africa’s telecoms landscape – one that has the potential, if it executes well on its plans, to become a major contender in a rapidly shifting sector.
Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko said communications regulator Icasa is making a grave mistake in the way it proposes to license access to the 5G-suitable 3.5GHz radio frequency spectrum band.
EXCLUSIVE | Icasa is poised to announce a plan to auction off radio frequency spectrum suitable for the roll-out of 5G infrastructure in a move that is likely to be widely welcomed by the telecommunications industry.
Telecommunications and technology advisory firm BMIT has warned that South Africa faces complex choices and trade-offs in reaching decisions regarding the awarding of new spectrum licences.
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.
The Competition Commission plans to engage with Icasa on the planned licensing of 4G/LTE and future 5G spectrum to ensure there is “not only universal coverage but also (affordable) access”.
Released five years after Icasa tried to license access to the spectrum for broadband services, the final policy is not dissimilar to what the communications regulator originally intended.
Communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has asked Icasa to ensure that preferential access to spectrum is given to a new wholesale open-access network while opening the way for spectrum to be released to commercial operators.