ICASA bows to pressure over spectrum licencing
25 August 2021
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Having failed to reach an out-of-court settlement with telecommunications companies over its wireless spectrum auction process, ICASA has now decided to consent to a High Court order so as to avoid a long-drawn-out litigation. This comes after months of failed negotiations over the litigants’ challenge to ICASA’s decision to invite applications for high-demand spectrum licences and for a licence to operate a wireless open access network (WOAN).
This means that the licencing of high-demand spectrum and the WOAN will now be reconsidered by ICASA, taking into consideration the issues raised by the litigants – such as the completion of the broadcasting digital migration process and the assessment of competition in the ICT sector.
To this end, the authority has filed its proposed consent order with the High Court, which litigants can either accept or file papers to oppose. The matter is set down for 15 September 2021, at which point any arguments against ICASA’s consent order will be heard.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has since committed to completing the broadcasting digital migration process and related processes within five months from the date on which the order is made. This will remove one of the perceived impediments to the process of licencing high-demand spectrum and the WOAN.
The chairperson of ICASA, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, expressed his concerns over new, unrelated issues that were raised by the litigants during negotiations. He further said that, should parties confine themselves to the matters currently on the table, the auction of high-demand spectrum can take place by the end of January 2022.
Further reading:
SMT-mountable card connectors
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Würth Elektronik introduces four new SMT-mountable Nano SIM and microSD card connectors and expands its range with solutions for the smallest packages.
Read more...
Module for smart city and smart utility devices
iCorp Technologies
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has launched the Quectel KCM0A5S, a high-performance Wi-SUN module designed for smart applications such as street lighting, precision agriculture, industrial IoT, smart meters and smart cities.
Read more...
Ultra-low-power wireless module
Altron Arrow
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The STM32WBA5MMG from STMicroelectronics is an ultra-low-power, small form factor, certified 2,4 GHz wireless module that supports Bluetooth LE, Zigbee 3.0, OpenThread, and IEEE 802.15.4 proprietary protocols.
Read more...
Quectel partners with GEODNET
Quectel Wireless Solutions
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has partnered with GEODNET to deliver Quectel’s Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) correction services, enabling high-precision positioning for IoT applications.
Read more...
Bringing Bluetooth Channel Sounding to automotive and beyond with KW47
Altron Arrow
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
NXP’s new Channel Sounding-certified KW47 and MCX W72 wireless MCUs are set to help automakers with distance measurement, bringing an additional ranging solution for car access and autonomous systems, and will be utilised across a broader spectrum of applications.
Read more...
Dual-band GNSS antenna
RF Design
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Taoglas Accura GVLB258.A, is a passive, dual-band GNSS L1/L5, high-performance antenna for high precision GNSS accuracy and fast positioning.
Read more...
What is Wi-Fi HaLow and why choose it for IoT?
iCorp Technologies
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Wi-Fi HaLow introduces a low power connectivity option that, in contrast to other Wi-Fi options, offers greater range of approximately 1 km, which opens up a raft of IoT use cases.
Read more...
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE coprocessor module
Altron Arrow
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ST67W611M1 from STMicroelectronics boasts an all-in-one design which, together with its capabilities, contribute to making it an attractive choice for IoT edge devices requiring a single-chip solution.
Read more...
Futureproofing IoT connectivity
SIMcontrol
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
A managed private APN assigns every device to an isolated carrier slice, producing a single ingress to the enterprise network, with traffic bypassing shared internet paths and reducing exposure.
Read more...
Extra slim 2,4 GHz radio module
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Thyone I radio module from Würth Elektronik now has a little sibling: Thyone-e, which takes up 30% less space and represents a cost-effective alternative for applications in which the long-range mode is not required.
Read more...
printer friendly version