High Demand Radio Frequency Spectrum: WOAN Reservation Withdrawn
Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Communications & Digital Technologies has officially withdrawn the policy provisions reserving high demand radio frequency spectrum bands for the proposed Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN).
Under the policy direction framework of the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies issued a notice amending the July 2019 Policy on High Demand Radio Frequency Spectrum. With immediate effect, the schedule to the notice formally revokes the requirement that specific radio frequency spectrum assignments be set aside for a composite WOAN entity.
The withdrawal terminates the regulatory obligation on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to license spectrum specifically to a WOAN, permitting the authority to re-evaluate and reassign remaining unallocated high demand frequency spectrum through competitive market mechanisms.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: No direct compliance obligations for individual practitioners; regulatory implications operate primarily across corporate licensing and regulatory advisory mandates.
- For your business: Legal and telecommunications regulatory advisory firms must update advisory templates and risk assessments concerning spectrum allocation models, commercial licensing roadmaps, and prospective public-private infrastructure ventures.
- For your clients: Telecommunications operators, internet service providers, and prospective bidders can anticipate revised licensing rounds from ICASA for previously ring-fenced high demand bands, requiring updated spectrum acquisition strategies, valuation models, and competition compliance filings.
Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/high-demand-radio-frequency-spectrum-wireless-open-access-network-reservation-withdrawn