The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has issued MTN with a radio spectrum license to use the frequencies in the 2,010\u20132,015MHz band, a spokesperson for the regulator said.<\/p>\n
MTN intends to use the spectrum for its \u201cnon-line-of-sight small-cell backhaul solution,\u201d said Icasa.<\/p>\n
Icasa was responding to a question raised by MyBroadband following rumours that MTN had received the spectrum it applied for in 2013.<\/p>\n
Its application resulted in public hearings on 19 August 2013, where Vodacom, Cell C, Neotel, and Smile Communications all registered objections to MTN receiving the spectrum.<\/p>\n
MTN\u2019s local rivals indicated at the time that it would put them at a disadvantage, with Cell C going so far as to say that the application was \u201csurprising\u201d and \u201cprocedurally irregular\u201d.<\/p>\n
Smile Communications told Icasa in its objection at the hearing last year that it had been waiting since 2009 for the regulator to process its own spectrum application.<\/p>\n
Icasa\u2019s spokesperson said that these objections were taken into account with all other submissions regarding the spectrum, adding that it should be noted that no-one else applied for this part of the spectrum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first-come, first-served criteria was used,\u201d Icasa said. \u201cIt should be noted that Vodacom was also assigned 5MHz in the same band on receipt of their application.\u201d<\/p>\n
Icasa said it was satisfied that the correct process was followed.<\/p>\n
Asked about the lack of public notice, the spokesperson said this was not a license amendment, adding that Icasa does not publish radio frequency licence amendments in the Government Gazette.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an additional licence for backhaul which operators apply for from time to time,\u201d Icasa said.<\/p>\n
MTN was asked about its plans for the new spectrum, but had not answered at the time of publication.<\/p>\n
This article first appeared on MyBroadband<\/a><\/p>\n Icasa shrugs off EHF spectrum licencing reports<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on spectrum in SA<\/h3>\n