ICASA calls for public comment on IMT Roadmap 2026 documents

Posted 27 July 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Communications & Digital Technologies

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published three draft consultation documents intended to support the implementation of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap 2026.

In terms of the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005, ICASA is mandated to manage and plan South Africa’s radio frequency spectrum. The three proposals aim to establish the technical, feasibility, and assignment framework required to deploy high-demand spectrum and next-generation mobile broadband technologies across South Africa over the next five to ten years.

The consultation suite published by the Authority encompasses three primary regulatory components:

  • Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs): Regulatory and technical conditions for assigning specific IMT radio frequency bands.
  • Spectrum Feasibility Studies: Operational assessments regarding spectrum sharing, co-existence, and band clearing for targeted IMT frequencies.
  • Updated IMT Roadmap Guidelines: Timelines and migration strategies for transitioning existing spectrum users out of allocated IMT bands.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; spectrum framework changes impact mobile operators and end-user broadband service availability.
  • For your business: Electronic communications network service (ECNS) licensees and wireless internet service providers must evaluate the technical parameters and submit formal responses within ICASA’s comment period to protect current spectrum use.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients operating private networks or reliant on high-bandwidth wireless communications must audit their current frequency usage against the proposed IMT spectrum migration schedules.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/electronic-communications-imt-roadmap-2026-input-sought-on-three-documents

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