The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA/the Authority) has announced receiving a total of six (6) applications in respect of the International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum licencing process, as it prepares for the auctioning of high-demand spectrum.
The authority said the development marks ‘an important and critical step’ towards the auctioning of spectrum which is set for March 2022.
The applications that were received by the closing date and time are as follows in order of submission: Cell C, MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Rain Networks and Liquid Telecoms.
In terms of the licensing process, the authority said it will announce the qualified bidders on 21 February 2022.
This will mark the next critical milestone in the effort of the Authority to finally release this much-needed economic stimulus input, ICASA said in a statement.
The Chairperson of ICASA, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng expressed his utmost gratitude to all applicants, and encouraged them to continue supporting the spectrum licencing process until its completion.
“We thank all applicants for participating in the process. We intend to finally see the licensing of high-demand spectrum through to completion to ensure that all South Africans have access to a wide range of communications services, including data services, at affordable prices,” said Dr Modimoeng.
The Chairperson also urged all role players to align their interests and allow the critical regulatory intervention to be completed.
“We value each milestone in this process, especially considering the mammoth legal challenges we have encountered along the way. Ultimately, public interest should prevail, as this process will yield positive spinoffs for the industry and society at large,” concludes Dr Modimoeng.
