Industry leaders and regulators from around the world will use the fifth instalment of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) Global Summit to discuss the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) draft regulations on the use of TV white spaces in the region.
In a statement, ICASA says the TV white spaces (TVWS) draft regulations highlight the progress SA is making in enabling affordable Internet through dynamic spectrum access.
TVWS use the spaces between television channels to provide broadband, an opportunity that will increase once SA finally migrates from analogue to digital terrestrial television.
According to the South African regulator, the draft regulations, which are open for public consultation until 19 May, have been fully welcomed by the DSA.
"In the past, exclusive licences for specific frequency bands and specific purposes dominated spectrum allocation policy and regulations," says Pakamile Pongwana, CEO of ICASA.
"While these models are good for monetising the spectrum and for coordination between multiple services and operators to avoid interference, they often result in underutilisation of spectrum. In the last decade, however, governments and regulators around the world have embraced the concept of 'spectrum commons' as another way to bring citizens innovation on new wireless technologies."
The summit will take place from 9 to 11 May in Cape Town, and will feature speakers from the US Federal Communications Commission and the International Telecommunication Union.
Other speakers include representatives from Facebook, Adaptrum, C3, the Communications Authority of Kenya, Aruba and New American Foundation.
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