The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) is still sorting out a long-standing licence fee issue with Wireless Business Solutions (WBS), which dates back to around April 2010.
About a year ago, WBS owed ICASA R24 million for microwave links it had set up, without informing the regulator. At that stage, it had applied for some of the links to be licensed, but ICASA refused to sanction the use of spectrum until WBS paid the outstanding fees.
WBS, the parent company of iBurst and Broadlink, argued that the matter was in dispute and it was trying to sort out with ICASA exactly what is owed. WBS, which started operating in 2005, provides connectivity to iBurst and Broadlink, which allows the companies to offer a range of products.
ICASA spokesman Paseka Maleka says WBS is, in practice, only licensed for three links and the national frequencies. He says other links that have been rolled out will only be sanctioned and licensed when the outstanding fees have been settled. "The matter is still under further investigation and the amount owed is still being validated."
Mistaken impression
Maleka explains that WBS is licensed for one frequency pair in the 15GHz band, one in the 2.6GHz band, and one in the 10.5GHz band on a national basis. He explains that, in terms of WBS's licence, the company needs to inform the authority within 30 days after a link has been commissioned so that it can be invoiced for it.
WBS did not inform ICASA when it rolled out microwave links and this situation is in the process of being corrected, although WBS will only be licensed for the links after payment, which is still outstanding, says Maleka.
He adds WBS is also licensed for a second frequency in the 15GHz band, which was assigned on an ad hoc link-by-link basis, and three ad hoc links in 5.9GHz. He says WBS has stated it was under the impression that these ranges were assigned on a national basis and, as a result, have illegally rolled out links on a national basis.
WBS was instructed to apply for the spectrum, which it did, but the licence was rejected by ICASA's council as fees were still outstanding, says Maleka.
WBS this morning refused to comment on the issue, stating the matter was between it and ICASA, and the parties were in discussions.
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