Icasa makes more broadband spectrum available for licensing
31 August 2022
News
The communications regulator in South Africa, Icasa, has started the process of making more radio frequency spectrum available to telecommunications operators needing to provide better broadband services. This has come just months after Icasa concluded a successful auction of various spectrum bands, and it signals a clear intention not to drag its feet in making available more frequencies that network providers heavily rely on. Communications minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has promised that there will be much greater urgency in unlocking more spectrum for the sector to use.
The recently concluded auction raised R14,5 billion for the coffers which was significantly more than expected. A second round of licensing is also likely to attract huge interest from operators. This next round is to sell off the spectrum in the 800 MHz band that was not auctioned off in the first round due to the onerous conditions attached to this 800 MHz band.
All the bands in question have been identified worldwide for mobile broadband services. They also “complement each other in the sense that they fulfil the requirements for capacity and coverage, which make them suitable for rural and urban areas and for bridging the digital divide”, Icasa said.
In the short term, licensing of the following spectrum will be explored:
• 10 MHz at 800 MHz: this unsold spectrum during the previous auction is still being used by terrestrial broadcasters. It will only become available for full commercial use when government finally completes its long-delayed migration from analog to digital terrestrial television, a process dating back to 2010.
• 15 MHz at 2,1 GHz: this is currently unoccupied spectrum and will be available for immediate use once a license has been acquired.
Further reading:
Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.
Read more...
IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics
News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.
Read more...
Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises
News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.
Read more...
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...
Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...
European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.
Read more...
Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.
Read more...
Siemens acquires Canopus AI
ASIC Design Services
News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.
Read more...
Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.
Read more...
printer friendly version