The Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) is calling on the communications regulator and the Department of Communications (DOC) to inform the industry of their progress in finalising the long-awaited spectrum auctions in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands.
The sought-after spectrum is ideally located for high-speed broadband connectivity, specifically for LTE and WiMax technologies.
The DOC has to appoint a specialist spectrum auctioneer who would be instrumental in a new invitation to apply (ITA) for the auction.
However, the successful candidate has yet to be named. This comes after the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) initially committed to a mid-October deadline for the appointment to be made.
After canning the first ITA for spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands, in June last year, ICASA noted the second time around it would conduct a more consultative process, dependent on the appointment of an experienced spectrum auctioneer.
It earmarked the end of the next financial year as its deadline for the next ITA to be presented to the industry. Any progress is, however, yet to be seen.
Hurry up
“ISPA welcomes the news that ICASA has requested the DOC to confirm the appointment of a specialist auctioneer to handle the auction of radio frequency spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands,” says Ant Brooks, GM of ISPA.
The association has, however, urged the DOC and ICASA to finalise this appointment as quickly as possible so that service providers and network operators can start deploying wireless broadband networks in these frequency ranges.
In early January, ICASA noted the shortlist of possible candidates was sent to the DOC for final approval.
“These bands are critical for operators looking to drive broadband competition and to introduce cost-effective services in under-serviced areas,” says ISPA.
Still waiting
In February, DOC spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the minister was still reviewing the submissions made by ICASA and an appointment would be made “in due course”.
"While it is heartening to see that the DOC and ICASA are making every effort not to repeat the mistakes of the past, ISPA does not understand the reason for the current delay in finalising the required appointment, and it is alarming that the auctions may not be held prior to the end of 2011,” says Brooks.
"ISPA supports everything possible being done to ensure that the auctions produce a result which is optimal both for the meeting of socio-economic objectives and the efficient use of the available spectrum."
Need for clarity
According to Brooks, the industry needs clarity on the timelines involved and the status of the various steps, such as in-band migration, which need to take place to allow for an optimal assignment.
ISPA also called on ICASA to provide more clarity about its plans around making regional assignments in the 3.5GHz band so that small regional operators can assess whether they will qualify to participate.
Brooks further urged ICASA to finalise the regulations around sub-leasing envisioned in the recently published draft radio regulations before the auction takes place.
ICASA and the DOC did not respond to questions by the time of publication.
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