The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published an advertisement calling for assistance with the development of the implementation strategy of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan 2013 and 2019, as well as the International Mobile Telecommunication 2014 and 2019 roadmaps.
The notice in the National Tender Bulletin comes just weeks after ICASA called for help with the review of the National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP). It hopes to have a draft available for comment during the third quarter of the 2020/2021 financial year.
In that appeal, the regulator explained its council has initiated the review with a key focus on the liberalisation of spectrum and defining it as a commodity.
“This will lead to the market approach system of spectrum management for the purpose of ensuring spectrum derives value for the public interest and to the benefit of its citizenry,” it says.
That tender attracted a total of five bids valued between R2.1 million and R6.8 million. While ICASA considers these responses, it has proceeded to advertise for assistance with the development of implementation plans for spectrum migration.
In the tender documentation, ICASA explains the Electronic Communications Act mandates the authority to develop Frequency Migration Plans for frequencies identified during the development of the NRFP.
“When it has been established that migration is required, then the critical issue is to determine the time frame in a manner consistent with sound radio frequency spectrum management. It is necessary to carry out a feasibility study for the frequency bands in question. The second key process is the amendment of a Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence to effect the migration of users and uses where necessary,” it says.
The results of the studies will advise the regulator in the determination of the time frame for migration of users and services as well as implementation.
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