The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) on Monday published the Draft Radio Frequency Migration Plan (RFMP) and the Draft International Mobile Telecommunication Roadmap (IMTR) for public consultation.

The draft documents aim to ensure proper alignment and coordination of the allocation and assignment of radio frequency spectrum in South Africa.

“With a steadfast commitment to long-term spectrum planning, our aim is to guarantee the optimal allocation of spectrum, prioritising its assignment to those who value it most. This ensures the highest efficiency in spectrum use,” said Icasa acting chairperson Councillor Cathrine Mushi.

According to a statement released by Icasa, the draft RFMP aims to align South Africa’s National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) with that of the Final Acts of the World Radio Conference 2023 (WRC-23), and in turn, with the latest resolutions of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations.

While the draft IMTR deals with the authority’s proposals for the allocation and assignment of spectrum allocated to the mobile service and identified for International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) systems, the draft RFMP sets out specific changes and requirements for specific radiocommunications frequency spectrum, including those identified for IMT, such as spectrum used by mobile licensees, in South Africa, taking into consideration the 2013 and 2019 RFMPs.

“In recent years, mobile broadband services have emerged as the most popular solution for the advancement of broadband technologies and related communication services, thereby encouraging the authority to put in place critical steps and responses to national expectations, through the IMT Roadmap which was last updated in 2019,” said Mushi.

“A key driver for the deployment of IMT radio frequency spectrum bands is the need to ensure that mobile broadband plays its role in meeting the vision of ‘Broadband for All’ encapsulated in the South Africa Connect and the National Development Plan 2030.”

Further, Mushi said that the proposed updates to the RFMP and the IMT Roadmap were imperative to meet and comply with the evolving requirements set forth by the ITU.

“Among other provisions in the current NRFP of 2021 is the incorporation of globally harmonised frequency bands in the low, mid and high ranges identified for IMT systems in order to reap the benefits associated with the capabilities of IMT-2020 (5G), IMT-2030 (6G) and beyond, given the ongoing evolution of the generations of mobile technologies.”

Stakeholders have until May 31 to submit comments on the draft RFMP and until June 10 to submit comments on the draft IMTR.