The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has extended the deadline for comment on the licensing of three bands of in-demand spectrum that can be used for next-generation mobile service.
ICASA says the extension was due to requests from interested stakeholders who now have until 30 October to comment. The closing for the initial submission was 16 October.
Last month, ICASA published an 'information memorandum' that provides guidance to prospective applicants that wish to apply for licensing of the 700MHz, 800MHz and 2 600MHz bands. These bands are in particular high demand from mobile and wireless operators, which need them to deliver high-speed broadband services.
The authority is seeking comments from prospective radio frequency spectrum applicants "who want to offer mobile broadband, wireless access services for urban and rural areas" using the three bands to provide national broadband wireless access services.
"The publication of this information memorandum is important in that the authority views mobile telecommunication technologies as critical components in achieving the goal of 'broadband for all citizens' in South Africa," according to an ICASA statement.
The 700MHz and 800MHz bands currently belong to terrestrial broadcasting entities but can be used for broadband wireless services. Telecoms operators have been waiting for years for these frequencies to be freed up when South African television switches from analogue to digital.
Although the date for the switch has yet to be announced by government, ICASA's information memorandum is a step towards establishing regulation for the licensing of this spectrum, along with the 2 600MHz band which can also be used for broadband wireless access services.
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