The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has finalised the full set of ten Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs) for high-demand spectrum after publishing the final three on Thursday.

The promulgation of the set of RFSAPs, namely 450 MHz to 470 MHz (IMT450); 825 MHz to 830 MHz and 870 MHz to 875 MHz (IMT850); and 1 427 MHz to 1 518 MHz (IMT1500), formalises the rules and spectrum arrangements governing a number of key spectrum bands used for mobile services.

“Icasa has already promulgated seven final RFSAPs for International Mobile Communications (IMT) high-demand spectrum, following an extensive notice and public consultation process,” the authority said in a statement published late on Thursday.

The seven bands are 703 MHz to 733 MHz and 758 MHz to 788 MHz (IMT700); 733 MHz to 758 MHz (IMT750); 791 MHz to 821 MHz and 832 MHz to 862 MHz (IMT800); 880 MHz to 915 MHz and 925 MHz to 960 MHz (IMT900); 2 300 MHz to 2 400 MHz (IMT2300); 3 300 MHz to 3 400 MHz (IMT3300); and 3 400 MHz to 3 600 MHz (IMT3500).

The finalisation of these three RFSAPs, after further consultation with stakeholders, brings to a close the public notice and the public consultation process to a full set of ten RFSAPs, initiated in Government Gazette No 46160 on March 31, 2022.

“The finalisation of the current set of ten RFSAPs marks a key milestone in making sufficient spectrum available to licensees, on a technology-neutral basis, in order to enable the rollout and uptake of fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) services across South Africa. It also frees up important additional spectrum for the auction currently planned for early 2024,” says Icasa committee chairperson Dr Charley Lewis.

Together, the ten RFSAPs will achieve an increase in the high-demand spectrum available for licensing through a competitive process, he says.

The three recently promulgated bands, earmarked to be auctioned at a future date, also make provisions to deal with incumbent users in IMT450 (Transnet) and IMT850 (Liquid).

The IMT450 band will be allocated for digital and IMT services only, with the possible provision of exclusion zones for some government users.

From the IMT850 band, Liquid is to be migrated to the IMT900 band, which will free up the full IMT800 band for effective use by those licensees who bought that spectrum in Icasa’s 2022 auction, once the analogue switch-off is complete.

In the case of IMT1500, the authority has decided that the full 1 427 MHz to 1 517 MHz will be allocated to mobile and fixed communications networks supplementary downlink (SDL) and to IMT 5G-new radio time division duplex/SDL.

“Icasa is already considering additional spectrum bands for further public consultation in the form of a new round of RFSAPs. A forward-looking approach to spectrum is vital to enable the development of new services to meet the evolving demands of the market,” adds Lewis.

“The frequency bands identified for IMT in the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations between the ranges 450 MHz to 3 600 MHz are key enablers for the deployment of all technology generations, namely third-generation, 4G, 5G and beyond.”