The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has temporarily suspended the licensing timetable for the release of the Wireless Open Access Network (Woan) spectrum.

Reviewing the licensing timelines, issued on October 1, the authority said that the suspension is to allow the high-demand spectrum permanent licensing consultation process to be completed and enable Icasa to “interrogate the impact of the outcomes on the licensing of the Woan.”

Icasa was due to publish the envisaged Woan consultation document on November 19, a decision it retracted amid the sensitivity of the spectrum licensing process, the ongoing consultation processes in that regard and the numerous continuous related considerations including legal imperatives.

As the consultation processes for the licensing of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum progresses, with the second round of consultation underway after the publication of an updated Information Memorandum on November 16, Icasa will, in the intervening period, engage other international jurisdictions to draw lessons from their experiences on the licensing of a typical Woan.

“There is a compelling reason to revise this tactical approach with regards to the Woan process,” explained Icasa chairperson Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng.

“This Woan licensing process is aimed at introducing an additional credible player with a view to promote competition in the information and communication technologies sector for the benefit of all South Africans. Therefore, it is very important to enhance our knowledge and develop a holistic approach to the Woan process. Such additional engagements will provide a clearer guidance in terms of how effective and economical this licensing process will be.”

Icasa now aims to publish a notice by no later than March 2022 advising of the Woan licensing process to be followed, based on the outcomes of further engagements, subsequent analysis of the model and the findings from the IMT spectrum consultation processes.

“There will still be radio frequency spectrum set aside for the Woan even as the auction is taking place, and the authority is of the view that the licensing of the Woan will indeed bring much-needed structural reform to the mobile voice and data services markets,” concluded Modimoeng.