The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has published an information memorandum for comment, detailing its plans to auction off spectrum to interested parties.<\/p>\n
In the memorandum, Icasa says that mobile telecoms are critical for achieving the \u201cbroadband for all\u201d goals set out government.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to realise the Government\u2019s rollout targets for broadband services in line with SA-Connect Policy, the authority is to commence with the licensing process for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum bands,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Icasa has decided on the simultaneous licensing of the 700MHz, 800MHz and 2.6 GHz bands, to \u201cenhance competition and to increase broadband coverage\u201d.<\/p>\n
According to Icasa the spectrum will split into two lot categories (Wholesale Open Access and Operators), with six lots up for grabs (A through to F).<\/p>\n
Lot A will be part of the Wholesale Open Access category and will be licensed through a different process, but lots B through to F will be auctioned off.<\/p>\n
All interested parties will have to first qualify before hitting the auction stage, and upon winning, will then be licensed.<\/p>\n
With auctioning, bids are placed for individual lots, and the auction proceeds in successive rounds with increasing prices, until there are no new bids.<\/p>\n
Bidding will take place in Johannesburg, with all qualified bidders present. A date will be established at a later date, Icasa said.<\/p>\n
The full memorandum can be found online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Neotel spectrum not enough for 4G: Vodacom<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Commission rules on spectrum in Vodacom\/Neotel merger approval<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on spectrum<\/h3>\n