Pretoria- The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has embarked on a process to make additional high-demand spectrum available for assignment to the providers of mobile communication services.

ICASA has therefore issued a questionnaire to gather input from all stakeholders on the planned licensing process for such International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) radio frequency spectrum.

The questionnaire will help ICASA determine how best to assign spectrum in the IMT750, IMT800, IMT1500, IMT2300, IMT3300 and IMT3500 bands.

ICASA is also considering the inclusion of 80 MHz of spectrum previously reserved for the Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN). This comprises:

• IMT700: 2 × 10 MHz of paired spectrum (FDD);
• IMT2600: 30 MHz of unpaired spectrum (TDD); and
• IMT3500: 30 MHz of unpaired spectrum (TDD).

Before finalising its approach, ICASA intends to assess how the proposed licensing process could affect competition. This questionnaire is an initial information-gathering step and does not constitute a formal competition assessment.

Responses will inform the development of an Information Memorandum, which will set out information about the proposed spectrum licensing process. This will be followed by an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the spectrum.

“Stakeholder input is essential to shaping an informed approach to licensing high-demand spectrum. Through this questionnaire, we seek to gather information that will help us to consider the potential implications for competition and to guide the next steps in the licensing process,” says Councillor Ntombiza Sithole, Committee Chairperson. 

The process is being undertaken in terms of regulation 7 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015, read with section 31(3)(a) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No 36 of 2005).

ICASA invites licensees, industry stakeholders, government ministries, departments and agencies, and members of the public to respond to the questionnaire.

Written responses, including an electronic version in Microsoft Word, must reach ICASA no later than 16h00 on Monday, 30 November 2026 (full details are set out on the questionnaire).

Interested persons may also indicate whether they wish to meet with ICASA to clarify their submissions. Such meetings will be limited to two hours each.

The questionnaire is available on the ICASA website under: Second-phase IMT spectrum licensing.

Ends

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Media@icasa.org.za