Now Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Rain will be able to continue to use the spectrum, first allocated as a temporary measure in April 2020, until the end of March 2021.
By then the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) hopes to have completed its allocation of new spectrum.
However the four will have to pay for the spectrum they use, said Icasa president Keabetswe Modimoeng (pictured). It has been free so far.
“We know that licensees have generated and reported revenue growth during this time. We have therefore decided that in addition to meeting the obligations imposed with the release of temporary spectrum, the extended use of the spectrum must be paid as provided for in the regulations.”
Meanwhile Icasa has told operators that it will issue details of its invitation to apply for spectrum on Friday 4 December. The spectrum will include what it calls Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN), by which virtual network operators will be able to use spectrum on a wholesale basis. Icasa will be conducting virtual workshops on its plans next week.
The closing date for applications is 28 December 2020 at 16:00 South African time.
“We believe that the workshops and the responses will go a long way in providing clarity for all interested stakeholders and ensure that the process is fully understood and give effect to procedural fairness and administrative justice”, said Modimoeng.
