[2 April 2024] ICASA has published proposed amendments to the roadmap for use of radio frequency spectrum for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) in South Africa.
Draft International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap 2024
The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on Monday 10 June 2024, and these can be emailed to Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho using rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za, cc. jdikgale@icasa.org.za.
Updates to the Roadmap flow from various resolutions taken at the Radiocommunication Assembly 2023. The Roadmap defines the frequency bands identified for IMT deployment and also stipulates the compulsory inter- or intra-band migration of current licensees, subject to feasibility studies where indicated.
Once finalised the IMT Roadmap will supersede the IMT Roadmap 2019 and amplify the Frequency Migration Plan 2019.
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[29 March 2024] ICASA is again reviewing the Frequency Migration Plan and has called for comments on a new draft.
Draft Frequency Migration Plan 27 March 2024
The deadline for written submissions is 16h00 on Friday 31 May 2024, and these can be emailed to Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho using rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za, cc. jdikgale@icasa.org.za.
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[26 December 2021] ICASA published a findings document in respect of its inquiry into the implementation of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan and of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap on 24 December 2021.
Findings Document Implementation of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan and IMT Roadmap
The deadline for submissions is 16h00 on Friday 11 February 2022 and these should be submitted to Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho per email: rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za | cc: jdikgale@icasa.org.za.
[1 October 2021] ICASA has launched an “Inquiry regarding the implementation the of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan and the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap for public consultation”, with the purpose of determining current usage of certain bands and ensuring that sufficient spectrum is available for broadband and other services in the short term (within the next 3-5 years).
The deadline for submissions 16h00 on Friday 03 December 2021. Submissions must be in the form of responses to the questions provided.
Interested parties can raise questions of clarity on the notice of the inquiry by no later than 15 October 2021, and these will be responded to by no later than 1 November 2021.
Questions of clarity and submissions can be emailed to Mr. Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za cc : jdikgale@icasa.org.za.
This exercise mainly involves identifying spectrum which can be used for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) and developing a plan to migrate existing users out of those bands and new users into them. The main instrument of implementation is for ICASA to amend the radio frequency spectrum assignment plans (RFSAPs) for bands affected by migration. A RFSAP is a detailed statement of what a spectrum band can be used for and the conditions applicable to permitted uses.
The notice of inquiry distinguishes between:
- Category 1 bands: A broad range of spectrum bands that might be considered for migration and RFSAPs.
- Category 2 bands: A set of 14 IMT bands and 8 other bands for closer study. ICASA is considering assignment of the first set of 14 bands to IMT while migrating current users in these 14 IMT bands into the other 8 bands and/or considering alternative uses of the latter.
Sets of questions are provided in respect of each category and there are also detailed questions relating to the feasibility and cost of any migration that may be required.
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[2 April 2019] ICASA has published the finalised Frequency Migration Plan 2019.
Final Radio Frequency Migration Plan 2019
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[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 & Orbicom
Netstar
Nokia
SABC
Telkom
Transnet
Vodacom
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[24 August 2018] ICASA has issued an invitation to interested parties to submit written representations on the Draft Radio Frequency Migration Plan Regulations 2018, due on 12 October 2018 with public hearings following on 25 and 26 October 2018.
ICASA notice
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[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 Government Gazette No 36334, Notice No 352 of the 3rd April 2013 over a period of three (3) months on a 90/10 PPPFA 2000: Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2011
Closing date for bids is 17 February 2014.
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[7 April 2013] ICASA published final documents on 2 April 2013 (and are to be commended on their efficiency in doing so).
ICASA Frequency Migration Regulations and Frequency Migration Plan 2013
FMR FMP Reasons Document April 2013
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[1 March 2013] It appears that the public participation phase of this process is now concluded. Below are the submissions received in response to the invitation from ICASA to comment on the Second Draft Frequency Migration Regulations and Second Draft Frequency Migration Plan (links to these documents in the 28 December 2012 update below).
Cell C
Eskom
eTV
Mnet
MTN
NAB
Neotel
Qualcomm
Sentech
Telkom
Vodacom
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[8 February 2013] Date for comment has been extended to 18 February 2013.
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[28 December 2012] Following the initial drafts published and the hearings held as detailed below, ICASA published a second iteration of the draft Frequency Migration Regulations and the draft Frequency Migration Plan on 24 December 2012.
Comments are due by 16h00 on 8 February 2013.
2nd Draft Frequency Migration Regulations and Frequency Migration Plan
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[25 October 2012] Final Schedule for Oral Hearings
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[22 October 2012] Draft schedule for oral presentations
Below are links to the submissions made in response to the draft:
Altech
BanziNET
Cell C
CSIR
Ericsson
Eskom
ESOA
ESOA Satellite
eTV
GSMA
GVF
Inmarsat
Intelsat
ISPA
ITUR_Spectrum-Redeployment
MIMOtech
Mnet
MTN
NAB
Neotel
Orbicom
PalmTree
QQ
Qualcomm
RSR
SAPS
SAPS-auction
SAPS Public Safety
SAPS-WhitePaper
Sentech
SKA
SmileTelecom
Telemedia
Telkom
Transnet
Vodacom
WAPA
[18 September 2012] ICASA have published Draft Frequency Migration Regulations and a draft Frequency Migration Plan for public comment (GG 35598, 17 August 2012).
Draft Frequency Migration Regulation & Frequency Migration Plan
Submissions are due by 28 September 2012 12 October 2012.
The Regulations are intended to establish the framework in terms of which ICASA will be able to migrate users of radio frequency spectrum in accordance with the National Radio Frequency Spectrum Band Plan.
Comment: This looks like a good effort from ICASA. The draft Regulations are short and simple (as they should be) and set out the steps to be taken and considerations to be taken into account by ICASA when seeking to effect a migration process. Such a process will be initiated in accordance with the finalised Spectrum Migration Plan or where required to align SA with the ITU or SADC position or for the purpose of introducing greater efficiency into spectrum usage. The draft Regulations cover both out-of-band and in-band migration.
The Draft Frequency Migration Plan sets out ICASA’s intentions in respect of specific bands and, while opinions on the advisability of these intentions will differ, the document is comprehensive and well thought-through.