The Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) band plan, which will govern the allocation of spectrum, is with the communications minister, it says.
The regulator hoped the plan would be published last week; however, with the ministerial meetings and budget discussions, it is likely only to see the light of day around next week. ICASA cannot confirm when it expects the minister to publish the plan in the Government Gazette.
ICASA's band plan includes a wide range of spectrum, but the industry is likely to be more interested in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz ranges. The ranges are considered scarce spectrum and many communications providers hope to get their hands on at least some of this spectrum.
Last year, the regulator held heated hearings on spectrum allocation, following the publication of draft regulations on the matter. The hearings consisted of two opposing sides, with one group of companies trying to block the incumbents from accessing additional spectrum, and the other trying to keep the likes of Telkom, MTN and Vodacom in the running.
From the start, there have been questions around how to get the most out of the available spectrum, specifically in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands. ICASA has been planning to auction the spectrum, but not before companies clear the audition phase to enter the auction.
The last set of draft regulations required that companies hold a minimum 30% black empowerment shareholding, before even applying to be part of the bidding process for spectrum.
Good news
The Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) has welcomed an undertaking by ICASA to finalise the process for the assignment of radio frequency spectrum. In a statement released by the organisation, the process of assignment should be in place by the end of May.
The organisation has long lobbied ICASA to speed up the process of assigning spectrum suitable for the provision of broadband wireless access services, so that its members can start building more wireless network infrastructure to roll out services in competition with the incumbent operators.
“The sooner ICASA finalises a framework for the assignment of licensed spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz radio frequency spectrum bands, the sooner our members can introduce more competition to the market and help to bring down prices to the benefit of consumers and businesses,” says ISPA GM Ant Brooks.
“Slow progress in assigning spectrum, since ICASA issued draft regulations for the licensing of this scarce resource in July 2009, has held back service providers who are keen to compete at the infrastructure layer of the market.”
The association has been on tenterhooks over the last few weeks, following the regulator's demands to see what services and networks ECNS licensees had rolled-out. Licences were converted in January last year.
“Our members - many of whom have obtained test licences to trial equipment and services in the 2.6GHz and/or 3.5GHz bands - stand ready to roll out networks that will enable them to offer innovative, affordable and high-quality broadband services to their customers,” says Brooks.
However, the lack of available spectrum, or spectrum regulation, has kept most ISPs without the means to deploy a network. ISPA has called on the regulator to “discharge its legislated role in enabling such service provision by, among other things, making licensed frequency available”.
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