The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has called on infrastructure-based mobile network operators to apply for the provisional assignment of radio frequency spectrum under the new information and communications technology (ICT) Covid-19 National State of Disaster Regulations.

Applicants have until November 17 to apply for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) bands 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2 300 MHz, 2 600 MHz and 3 500 MHz, effective December 1.

“The authority has resolved to implement the provisional assignment arrangement for a seven-month period ending June 30, 2022, or three months after the termination of the National State of Disaster, whichever comes first,” Icasa chairperson Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng said in a statement.

A final decision after considering the applications will be made no later than November 26, with the bands assigned in line with the criteria and conditions stipulated in the ICT Covid-19 National State of Disaster Regulations.

“The authority believes that it is in the best interest of the public to have a provisional spectrum licensing arrangement in place over the next seven months. This will enable all other inherent licensing processes to conclude while mitigating any possible service disruptions,” he continued.

“Icasa is not a spectrum-hoarding regulator. All we want is ultimately a competitive, transparent, and all-inclusive spectrum licensing regime and plans are afoot in that regard. The provisional spectrum licensing arrangement is an improved pro-competitive interim measure but is not a permanent process considering its limited participatory scope. This provisional arrangement is tailored to deal with any network issues which may affect the provision of services to consumers in the intervening period.”

Icasa noted that participating operators will pay an application fee, an acquisition fee and the spectrum licence (use) fee in line with the spectrum applied for.

The authority remains committed to permanently licence the high demand spectrum in line with the truncated timetable published on October 1.