Faizel Patel – 02/10/2020
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has invited mobile operators to apply to bid for spectrum for 4G and next-generation 5G networks from Friday with the country’s first-ever auctions expected to take place by the end of March.
The licensing of spectrum remains a key issue as mobile operators have been pleading with government to release more spectrum in order to bring the cost of data down.
In a statement Icasa says the the spectrum auction proceeds will have broader economic benefits for the country as they will also incentivise broadband infrastructure investment and thus stimulate economic growth.
“More importantly, the release of spectrum is critical to ensure continued provision of good quality broadband services and the lowering of the cost to communicate (particularly data costs) in South Africa.”
Spectrum refers to the radio frequencies on which data and information are carried.
The auction applications will be available from 2 October until December 2020 and the auctions are expected to take place by the end of March.
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