Draft spectrum policy includes spectrum trading and sharing, while banning hoarding

[Jan]

South Africa could get spectrum trading and sharing — but hoarding is banned

Communications minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni published a draft spectrum policy on Thursday for public comment.

Titled "Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy", the policy outlines the government's plans for scarce wireless network capacity.

 

[wernervn]

Yes, because only government is allowed to hoard spectrum

 

[Johand]

“We accept the responsibility that we cannot leave our fate and the fate of the country in the hands of the telecommunications operators that are commercially driven,” Ntshavheni said.

Not commercially driven? As opposed to what? Do we need more loss making SOEs, because that is what happens if you are not commercially driven. Or do we need corruption driven entities? I really would like to know what she means by that. The evil commercially driven telecommunication companies has driven down pricing, ensured broad access etc. We know exactly what a state-driven communication arm looks like -- Telkom in the 90s. Expensive, behind the times, no access etc.

Whatever the beef is with "commercial driven" - the state-driven alternative is far-far worse. If you need better outcomes use regulation. If the state tries to compete it will get hammered and/or it will hammer our country.