[16 October 2017] ICASA has reinvigorated a previous attempt to create a 5G forum to discuss matters relating to 5G and other relevant standards. The regulatory has published draft terms of reference for the forum as well as an agenda for the initial meeting of the forum to be held in Johannesburg on 1st and [...]
[6 October 2017] ICASA has published draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans in respect of the below bands for public comment: Draft RFSAP for Band 75.2 to 87.5 MHz 6 October 2017 Draft RFSAP for Band 138 to 143.6 MHz 6 October 2017 Draft RFSAP for Band 150.5 to 153 MHz 6 October 2017 Draft [...]
[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 of E-Band spectrum in South Africa in the form of a set of standard operating procedures relating to applying for licenses or [...]
[2 September 2017] ICASA has published for comment a Second Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan: Rules for Services operating in the Frequency Band from 825 to 830 MHz and 870 to 875 MHz (IMT850). ICASA Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan 800 MHz 1 September 2017 The deadline for submissions on the Draft Radio Frequency [...]
[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] ICASA's media release and final schedule for the oral presentations are set out below. The [...]
[20 April 2017] We have put together an overview and update document pertaining to Dynamic Spectrum Assignment and Television White Spaces in South Africa, which can be found at the link below. Status update on the use of Dynamic Spectrum Assignment and Television White Spaces in South Africa ___ [10 April 2017] ICASA has moved [...]
[27 March 2017] ICASA has given notice of the annual increase to be implemented in respect of radio frequency spectrum licence fees. Notice in terms of Regulation 9A of Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Fee Amendment Regulations 2015 Effective 1 April 2016, all radio frequency spectrum licence fees will be increased by 6.4% based on the [...]
[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) [...]
[16 November 2014] ICASA has published the final International Mobile Telephony (IMT) Roadmap and are to be commended for the speed at which they are proceeding (a rare accolade). Final (Draft) IMT Roadmap ICASA simultaneously published a Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan (RFSAP) for IMT. Draft IMT RFSAP ICASA press release The Independent Communications Authority [...]
[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 [...]
[22 January 2014] ICASA has published an Invitation to Bid to provide services relating to implementing the digital migration regulations and plan (scroll down for these documents). The full description: Appointment of a service provider to conduct feasibility studies of the frequency band migration based on the frequency band migration Regulation and Plan contained in the [...]
[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 has made available their Annual Report for the period ending 31 March 2011. The Report details ICASA's efforts and progress over the last year in the South African regulatory environment. See below for some of the more noteworthy regulatory statistics from the past year. Frequency Issues and Type Approval Legal and the CCC Service [...]
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 [...]