Page 130 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

the representations received and has fully considered Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum for a
those views in their entirety,” said Icasa chairperson second round of public consultation. Stakeholders
Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng. Icasa has provided for the have until 16h00 on November 30 to make their formal
auction design in the ITA to include spectrum floors submissions to the authority, said ICASA chairperson
and spectrum caps, the opt-in round and spectrum- Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng. This followed the tabling of
sharing provisions, besides others, which are designed a new roadmap that set out ICASA’s intention to publish
to facilitate the entry of new players into the market an invitation to apply (ITA) for the IMT spectrum by
and to promote consumer welfare through access to December 10 and start the auction of the high demand
high-quality communication services at affordable spectrum from March 1, 2022. The updated timeline of
and competitive prices. “Taking into account the the auction of the long-awaited spectrum follows the
ongoing broadcasting digital migration process, the consent order granted by the North Gauteng High Court
authority will make available the status of the coverage on September 15, which ended the litigation instituted
maps on the IMT 700 and IMT 800 spectrum bands in against the authority by Telkom and e.tv, besides
collaboration with the Department of Communications others. “This publication of the IM is another critical
and Digital Technologies before the commencement consultative process ICASA is undertaking in the
of the auction,” he explained. Should the digital continued implementation of the truncated timetable
migration process not be completed by the time the and roadmap issued by the authority on October 1 for
auction is concluded, Icasa will apply proportional the expedited licensing of the high-demand spectrum,”
payment formulae for IMT 700 and IMT 800 bands. “In he explained. “The issuance of the initial roadmap was
licensing of high-demand spectrum through this ITA, followed by the successful hosting of the IM workshop
the authority aims to ensure the realization of many on October 15 to clarify all matters and to receive
of the key policy objectives originally identified in the stakeholder comments on the initial IM.” By November
South Africa Connect Broadband Policy, particularly 2, ICASA had received 10 written representations,
as regards the provision of universal and affordable including from Telkom; Vodacom; MTN; Rain;
broadband services for all South Africans,” Modimoeng Community Investment Ventures Holdings; South
continued. “We urge all industry stakeholders to African Communication Forum; South African Radio
embrace this licensing process and the auction, as Astronomy Observatory; Paul Hjul; the Competition
this is the most open and transparent way in which Commission South Africa; and the Association of
spectrum will be permanently awarded. All the other Progressive Communications. “The consultative
provisional spectrum arrangements remain interim and process in the form of publication of the second IM
will end at the stipulated and communicated dates,” he is aimed at ensuring transparency in the licensing
concluded. The combined auction reserve prices will process; and is in compliance with the requirements
yield a minimum of R8-billion for the national fiscus, for procedural fairness and administrative justice,”
including enhanced obligations for the benefit of Modimoeng continued. “It is therefore important that
consumers and society-at-large. all stakeholders participate fully in this process, which
(December 12, 2021) engineeringnews.co.za will culminate in the issuance of the invitation to apply
for licensing of the high demand spectrum. We remain
The Independent Communications Authority of South committed to license spectrum through an auction by
Africa (ICASA) has published an updated Information March 2022.”
Memorandum (IM) for the licensing of the International (November 17, 2021) engineeringnews.co.za

The Ministry of Science and ICT has agreed to open make it difficult for LG U+,” said a telecom insider who
bidding for an additional 5G network spectrum following wished to remain anonymous. “It’s obvious that they’re
a request from LG U+. The Ministry of Science and ICT not happy about a lesser competitor becoming their
authorized the auction of the 3.4 to 3.42 gigahertz equals.” Spokespersons from both companies told
(GHz) 5G network spectrum on Friday following a July the Korea JoongAng Daily that they have no specific
South Korea 8 request from the carrier. The details of the auction, plans, but are “looking into the matter from all angles.”
such as the date or participants, have not been set In a government spectrum auction in June 2018, SK
yet. Local reports say that since the auction is open Telecom and KT each bought 100 MHz spectrum bands,
to all network servicers in Korea, SK Telecom and KT while LG U+ only bought 80 MHz. SKT bought the 3.6 to
are also likely to participate. Since July, SK Telecom 3.7 GHz band for 1.2 trillion won ($1 billion), KT bought
and KT have been complaining that requesting an the 3.5 to 3.6 GHz band for 968 billion won and LG U+
additional spectrum after the initial auction is unfair. bought the 3.42 to 3.5 GHz band for 809.5 billion won.
“SK Telecom and KT don’t really need the spectrum The 20 MHz spectrum range band was not put up for
range, but they could participate in the auction just to sale at the time because the Science Ministry did not

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