The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has decided to issue new temporary spectrum licences to mobile operators. Under the new ICT Covid-19 National State of Disaster Regulations, the regulator will make available from 01 December frequencies in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2300MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz bands. All qualifying licensees have five working days to submit their applications to the authority, by no later than 17 November.
The provisional assignments will apply for a seven-month period ending 30 June 2022, or three months after the termination of the National State of Disaster, whichever comes first. Icasa took a similar step last year to issue temporary spectrum licences in order to support increased demand for internet services during the pandemic, while the regulator is still organising the terms of a new mobile spectrum auction.
The industry regulator will consider the applications and make a final decision by no later than 26 November. Icasa said the process will enable all other licensing processes to conclude while mitigating any possible service disruptions. Operators who wish to participate in this process will, amongst others, pay an application fee, an acquisition fee as well as the spectrum licence fees.
