High Demand Radio Frequency Spectrum: Assignment Questionnaire Gazetted

Posted 09 November 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 a questionnaire in the Government Gazette regarding the assignment of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) high demand radio frequency spectrum bands.

In terms of sections 30 and 31 of the Electronic Communications Act, No. 36 of 2005 (ECA), read with the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, ICASA is conducting a market and technical assessment to determine current capacity utilisation, prospective demand, and licensing frameworks for unassigned high demand spectrum.

The questionnaire forms part of the regulator’s consultation process preceding future spectrum licensing rounds and auctions. Electronic communications network service (ECNS) licensees, electronic communications service (ECS) licensees, and affected industry stakeholders are requested to provide technical and economic submissions.

Key focus areas covered by the questionnaire include:

  • Audit and assessment of existing spectrum holdings and network coverage deployment across IMT bands;
  • Projected medium- and long-term radio frequency spectrum requirements for 4G, 5G, and emerging network technologies;
  • Technical coexistence, migration timelines, and interference-management considerations across targeted frequency ranges; and
  • Input regarding future spectrum assignment packaging, auction structures, competitive spectrum caps, and universal service obligations.

Stakeholders and licensees must review the gazetted framework and file their comprehensive responses with ICASA by the deadline stipulated in the gazette notice.

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

  • For yourself: Regulatory and commercial legal practitioners advising telecommunications clients must analyse the questionnaire parameters to draft compliant and strategic submissions on spectrum allocation models.
  • For your business: Technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) practice groups must monitor assignment schedules and consultation deadlines to support operators during upcoming licensing rounds.
  • For your clients: Licensed network operators, wireless internet service providers, and digital infrastructure businesses must audit their spectrum capacity to submit empirical data that justifies their future spectrum requirements and safeguards commercial allocations.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/high-demand-radio-frequency-spectrum-assignment-questionnaire-gazetted

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