The sale of sought-after radio frequency spectrum is already being bogged down by delays, as the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) fails to meet its first self-imposed deadline.
The authority early last month informed ITWeb that an announcement regarding the successful applicant for specialist spectrum auctioneer would be made by mid-October.
Now ICASA says: “The authority's bid adjudication committee is still considering the bids and a formal communiqu'e will be issued in due course to announce the successful bidder.”
After withdrawing the first invitation to apply (ITA) for spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz band, in June, ICASA noted that the second time around it would conduct a more consultative process, dependent on the appointment of an experienced spectrum auctioneer.
However, bids for the position closed in early October and no announcement had been made.
Deadline concerns
“ICASA has not historically been very good with deadlines, which often tend to be mere guidelines, rather than actual deadlines. The spectrum issue is one that must be dealt with in the interests of all parties and we can only hope that, in this instance, ICASA will act expeditiously,” says WWW Strategy MD Steven Ambrose.
Independent telecommunications analysts Richard Hurst concurs that the process will likely be a challenging one, as - to date - ICASA has been bogged down by inefficient processes regarding basic human resources processes, economic challenges and technical restraints.
Hurst maintains that the deadline is “do-able”, but the main concern for the authority should be that nothing falls through the cracks.
BMI-TechKnowledge MD Denis Smit argues that the deadline is only a secondary concern.
“The most critical thing is that ICASA gets it right. The deadline is secondary. We believe that ICASA has done the right thing by postponing the auction, as it was badly flawed. By appointing global specialists, we are hopeful of a more balanced outcome,” he states.
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