The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published its second Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan to make critical wireless network capacity available to operators, reports BusinessTech. ICASA's plan covers the frequency bands 825-830 MHz and 870-875 MHz, and restricts the use of the frequencies to mobile technologies, specifically International Mobile Telecommunications standards.
While it is not a lot of spectrum, mobile operators have long said that lower frequency spectrum such as that in the 800 MHz band would be ideal for improving coverage to rural South Africa. As part of the plan, ICASA has proposed that spectrum assigned to Neotel be shifted immediately by 2 MHz to fall within the 825-830 MHz to 870-875 MHz ranges.
Neotel currently uses this spectrum for its CDMA 850 network, and ICASA said that in the long run, it must stop using its assignment in this band for CDMA. The draft plan is open to public consultation until 20 October. ICASA has invited interested parties to submit written representations on the plan. It will then develop an invitation to apply for the spectrum in line with regulations.
Source: https://www.telecompaper.com/news/icasa-plans-to-release-lte-spectrum-to-mobile-operators--1210362