ICASA grants final grace period for temporary spectrum holders

25 August 2021 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

The Council of ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) has resolved that licencees of temporary emergency radio frequency spectrum that was assigned last year will have their spectrum assignments revoked by no later than 30 November this year.

The temporary spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited process during April 2020 on the initial declaration of the National State of Disaster, which in turn was occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. ICASA has since twice extended the duration of the temporary assignment, the last expiry date being 31 August 2021.

ICASA says it has, inter alia, taken into account the current environment in relation to the number of infections, the gradual reopening of the economy and the steady progress in the vaccination programme. It classified the need to focus its efforts on the permanent licencing of spectrum as a more important factor, while acknowledging the need to allow the industry adequate time to plan and adjust its operations.

According to the chairperson of ICASA, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, ‘‘The Authority’s interventions with regards to the release of the temporary radio frequency spectrum have indeed contributed immensely to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensuring that South Africans were and continue to be, able to communicate during these unprecedented times. However, the Authority cannot allow the temporary spectrum assignment to assume a state of permanence.”

He went on to say that, having allowed operators to use the temporarily assigned spectrum for a period of 17 months, it is reasonable that they be allowed a further three months until 30 November 2021 as a sufficient winding-down period.

In order to allow the licencees to wind down their operations on the temporary spectrum and to notify consumers about the impact thereof (if any) on their service offerings, ICASA has resolved to amend the Covid-19 National Disaster Regulations to provide for continued use of the temporary radio frequency spectrum licences for the period ending 30 November 2021.

Further reading:

The trends driving uptake of IoT Platform as a Service
Trinity IoT Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
IoT platforms, delivered as a service, are the key that will enable enterprises to leverage a number of growing trends within the IT space, and access a range of benefits that will help them grow their businesses.

Read more...

---

RF power amplifier
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ZHL-20M2G7025X+ from Mini-Circuits is a 32 W power amplifier that operates from 20 to 2700 MHz and delivers a saturated output power of +45 dBm.

Read more...

---

Introducing the Quectel EG800Z series
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The EG800Z series is Quectel’s latest ultra-compact LTE Cat 1 bis module, designed to deliver reliable connectivity, low power consumption, and robust performance across a wide range of IoT applications.

Read more...

---

NeoMesh on LoRa
CST Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Thomas Steen Halkier, CEO of NeoCortec, recently gave a keynote speech where he spoke about “NeoMesh on LoRa: Bringing true mesh networking to the LoRa PHY”.

Read more...

---

Modules upgraded with Direct-to-Cell tech
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has announced that several of its LTE modules are now available with Direct-to-Cell (D2C) functionality, enabling devices to seamlessly connect to satellite networks.

Read more...

---

USB/Ethernet smart RF power sensor
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The PWR-18PWHS-RC from Mini-Circuits is an RF power sensor that operates from 50 MHz to 18 GHz and is designed to capture pulsed and trace modulated signals with very high data resolution.

Read more...

---

Tiny Bluetooth LE + 802.15 + NFC module
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Unleashing enhanced processing power, expanded memory, and innovative peripherals, the BL54L15µ from Ezurio is the ultimate choice for small and low power connectivity.

Read more...

---

AI modules for edge intelligence
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
SIMCom has introduced two new entry-level AI computing modules, the SIM8668 and SIM8666, designed to bring intelligent capabilities to lightweight, energy-efficient edge devices.

Read more...

---

High performance ISM antennas
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has announced the launch of two new high performance ISM antennas, designed to meet the need for wireless communication in devices that operate in the industrial and commercial applications.

Read more...

---

Quad-band high-precision positioning module
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel Wireless Solutions has recently announced the launch of the LG680P, a multi-constellation, quad-band GNSS module designed to deliver high-precision positioning across a wide range of applications.

Read more...

---