The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has published an updated Information Memorandum (IM) for the licensing of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum for a second round of public consultation.

Stakeholders have until 16h00 on November 30 to make their formal submissions to the authority, said Icasa chairperson Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng.

This followed the tabling of a new roadmap that set out Icasa’s intention to publish an invitation to apply (ITA) for the IMT spectrum by December 10 and start the auction of the high demand spectrum from March 1, 2022.

The updated timeline of the auction of the long-awaited spectrum follows the consent order granted by the North Gauteng High Court on September 15, which ended the litigation instituted against the authority by Telkom and e.tv, besides others.

“This publication of the IM is another critical consultative process Icasa is undertaking in the continued implementation of the truncated timetable and roadmap issued by the authority on October 1 for the expedited licensing of the high-demand spectrum,” he explained.

“The issuance of the initial roadmap was followed by the successful hosting of the IM workshop on October 15 to clarify all matters and to receive stakeholder comments on the initial IM.”

By November 2, Icasa had received 10 written representations, including from Telkom; Vodacom; MTN; Rain; Community Investment Ventures Holdings; South African Communication Forum; South African Radio Astronomy Observatory; Paul Hjul; the Competition Commission South Africa; and the Association of Progressive Communications.

“The consultative process in the form of publication of the second IM is aimed at ensuring transparency in the licensing process; and is in compliance with the requirements for procedural fairness and administrative justice,” Modimoeng continued.

“It is therefore important that all stakeholders participate fully in this process, which will culminate in the issuance of the invitation to apply for licensing of the high demand spectrum. We remain committed to license spectrum through an auction by March 2022.”