[30 April 2019] We are informed that the Minister of Communications has decided not to issue a finalised policy direction on unassigned high-demand spectrum by the end of April as indicated, rather deeming it necessary to hold this over until Parliament reconvenes in late May 2019. There is no firm indication of a new [...]
[3 April 2019] ICASA have finalised a radio frequency spectrum assignment plan setting out the rules for services operating in the frequency band from 825 - 830 MHz and 870 - 875 MHz. Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the Frequency Band 825 to 830 MHz and 870 to 875 MHz __ [18 March 2019] [...]
[2 April 2019] ICASA has given notice of the annual increase to be implemented in respect of radio frequency spectrum licence fees. The new fees will be effective from 1 April 2019 and will increase by 4.7% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI). Notice, 2019 Old fee (ZAR) New fee (ZAR) Unit [...]
[2 April 2019] ICASA has published the finalised Frequency Migration Plan 2019. Final Radio Frequency Migration Plan 2019 __ [29 October 2018] Submissions made in respect of the Draft Radio Frequency Migration Plan Regulations 2018 can be found below: Cell C COCT (A) COCT (B) Denel eMedia Huawei Intelsat Liquid Telecom SA MTN Multichoice, MNET [...]
[6 February 2019] Set out below are links to all submissions made in response to the publication of the Draft IMT Roadmap: Blind SA Cell C COCT ESOA GSMA Huawei Inmarsat Intel Liquid MTN Project Isizwe Rain Sentech Telkom Thuraya Transnet Vodacom WAPA ___ [30 January 2019] ICASA has issued a press release in respect [...]
[1 November 2018] ICASA 2017/2018 Annual Report ___ [20 September 2018] ICASA is relocating its head office from Sandton to Centurion between 26 and 29 October 2018. The new contact details will be: Physical Address: 350 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Point Office Park, Eco Park, Centurion, Gauteng Telephone: 012 568 3000 Letter to stakeholders __ [18 August [...]
[9 October 2018] ICASA has issued a tender invitation to higher learning and research institutions to submit proposals on the development, implementation, hosting and management of the Reference Geo-Location Spectrum Database (R-GLSD) at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa to enable the implementation of the Television White Spaces Regulations. Closing date is 23 October [...]
[28 May 2018] ICASA has published the National Radio Frequency Plan 2018. Media release ___ [10 June 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has confirmed that the updated National Radio Frequency Plan has been approved by Cabinet and the updated document is expected to be gazetted by ICASA shortly. ___ [8 February 2017] [...]
[16 March 2018] ICASA has updated the register of links in the self-regulated portion of the E Band. E-Band self-coordinated-register-February 2018 ___ [5 September 2017] ICASA has published a first register of links in the self-regulated portion of the E Band. E-Band self-coordinated-register-July 2017 ___ [29 April 2017] ICASA has published useful information on use [...]
[23 May 2018] ICASA will be supporting the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF) in hosting the 5th Annual 5G Huddle, to be held for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. The event will take place from from 29 to 30 May 2018 in Durban. Further details can be found in the ICASA press release [...]
[28 November 2016] The amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 have been finalised and came into force on 22 November 2016. Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulations 2016 __ [17 June 2016] ICASA have published draft amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 for public comment: Draft Amendment Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 The deadline [...]
[10 October 2016] ICASA has notified the public that it has received an application from TRANSNET SOC Ltd (Transnet), for a radio frequency spectrum licence to use the 1800MHz band centre gap at National Ports and Harbours. Transnet intends to use a total of 5MHz of this band in the Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban [...]
[18 August 2016] ICASA has issued out a notice reminding providers of wireless networks of the need to stay within the defined licence-exempt bands. ICASA further refers to an upcoming crackdown on use of non-licence-exempt bands without the appropriate spectrum licence: from our information it looks like a new monitoring network will be launched shortly [...]
[3 April 2016] A release from the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services notes that the 41 person strong SA delegation to WRC 2015 “played a significant role in securing major outcomes for spectrum management to be integrated into national regulatory arrangements over the next 12 months”. Outcomes of WRC-2015 in Geneva, Switzerland Final Acts WRC-15 [...]
[17 November 2015] ICASA has published a notice in various newspapers calling on licensees with outstanding annual radio frequency spectrum licence fees to attend to payment as soon as possible. Newspaper Notice Spectrum Debtors 2 October 2015 There are 21 049 entries in the spreadsheet...
See further https://www.ellipsis.co.za/progress-in-assignments-in-700800-mhz-and-2-6-ghz/ __ [6 May 2015] ICASA have published Gazettes identifying and rectifying errors in the spectrum assignment plans for IMT bands published last month. These have been inserted in the previous post next to the document they relate to. ___ [2 April 2015] ICASA has published final radio frequency spectrum assignment plans (RFSAPs) [...]
[31 May 2014] The Wireless Access Providers' Association (WAPA) hosted a Future Wireless Technology Forum on Thursday 29 May 2014. The initial gathering covered technology solutions and related business opportunities in the millimetre wave (mmW) band, with focus on V-Band (60 GHz) and E-Band (70 & 80 GHz). Future discussions will involve emerging technologies such as [...]
[28 May 2014] In one of his last acts as Minister of Communications, Minister Carrim issued the below statement on broadband radio spectrum policy directives on 23 May 2014. The statement is an attempt at explaining the delays which have bedeviled the release of spectrum for the deployment of access networks in South Africa STATEMENT [...]
[11 May 2014] Precedent in telecommunications law is a rare thing. Below is a link to the judgement of the South Gauteng High Court which deals, inter alia, with the circumstances under which a radio frequency spectrum licence will have been deemed to have lapsed as a result of non-payment of annual spectrum licence fee. [...]
[24 April 2014] The Department of Communications has released a final report and implementation plan on the use of the second digital dividend in South Africa. The report was drafted by Deloitte and Touche. Second Digital Dividend Final Report and Implementation Plan April 2014 According to the Report it will form the basis for the [...]
[24 February 2014] Reminder that radio frequency spectrum renewal applications must be submitted by the end of February. ___ [27 January 2014] ICASA has extended the deadline for submission of renewal applications to 28 February 2014. ____ [17 January 2014] It is that time of the year again and holders of radio frequency spectrum licences [...]
[6 August 2013] ICASA has issued a warning to wireless internet service providers to ensure that they do not illegally use the 4 GHz band which is used by the South Africa Air Force. This is pursuant to complaints received "Anyone found to be in possession or operating such equipment outside the licence free band [...]
ICASA Update to the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2 April 2013 See further resources on digital migration in South Africa.
ICASA have afforded spectrum licensees with an opportunity to ensure that the address and contact details on their licences are up to date. It is an existing obligation on licensees to notify ICASA of any changes in this information within 14 days of the change being effected, so ICASA is essentially saying that it will [...]
[31 August 2014] Just a note to confirm that this process was never concluded and should now be regarded as having been abandoned. Updated radio frequency spectrum policy remains outstanding. ___ [1 February 2012] A notice was published in today's Government Gazette extending the period for comment to 29 February 2012. This will no doubt require ICASA [...]
[29 April 2012: updated to provide ICASA presentations made at the workshop: 1 - Spectrum Fee Workshop Agenda 20120305 2 - Spectrum Fundamentals 20120305 3 - ETD Workshop - 05032012 EML prep 4 - Spectrum Fee Payment Process 20120126a 5 - Spectrum Fees 20120305a 6 - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM LICENCE 20120305] [...]
[5 March 2012] ICASA has withdrawn this process until further notice and pending the finalisation of the Minister's policy directions. The following submissions were made to the "ghost deadline" of 29 February 2012: AppChat Broadband Infraco CDG Cell C City of Cape Town DBI ETV GSMA Kawuleza MNET MWEB Orbicom Qualcomm Sentech SKA Telkom Vodacom [...]
ICASA has released a reasons document for the recategorisation of medium-wave frequencies. A determination has been made by ICASA so as to provide a regulatory framework of all spare MW radio frequency spectrum within the catergories designated as per the Electronic Communications Act No.36 of 2005. Also given are procedures and criteria for the awarding [...]
The following is derived from the ICASA Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011 Radio Frequency Licensing statistics At 31 March 2011 a total of 46 109 frequency licences for various services were held. Number of licences as at 1 April 2010 New Licenses Cancellations Number of licences as at 31 March 2011 [...]
ICASA have issued out a press release calling for comments on their Findings Document pertaining to the allocation of frequency spectrum where demand outstrips supply. Although it is not clear what status these comments will have (given that they were requested by press release rather than general notice in the Government Gazette) those who want [...]