This is how South Africa's open-access mobile network will work

[Hanno Labuschagne]

This is how South Africa's open-access mobile network will work

South Africa has committed to the national WOAN by ensuring it features heavily in the spectrum auction that will take place next year.

The WOAN is controversial in South Africa as many believe it is unnecessary because the spectrum allocated to it could just as easily be used to improve the networks of existing operators.

While the WOAN has become a popular buzzword within the telecoms industry, those who are not deeply entrenched may not understand what the WOAN is.

 

[Thor]

It won't work.

This will never happen.

The ANC is incapable of making this work.

 

[Wakandafication]

The

While the WOAN has become a popular buzzword within the telecoms industry

I don't think it's a buzzword, it's like saying the NHS is a buzzword. A buzzword would be 5G, AI, BI, ML etc - technology that shapes the future, not something that is forced on the market.

The elephant in the room is unlocking valuable spectrum for MNOs. Though ICASA are more hooked on creating and implementing new ideas that SA doesn't need right now like WOAN and helping the Post Office survive by targeting courier companies among other things.

WOAN is something from ICASA and government which I think at most is a good idea in concept at best, but the execution will be the issue and most people fear it. Look how long the DTT migration took, or should I say how overdue it is as it is still not complete. Now imagine the WOAN migration or implementation...

 

[MrGray]

If it would create competition then it’s obvious why the existing operators would be opposed to it, lol.

 

[pHad3s]

Where can we apply?
The icasa site is like a highschool kids year end project... broken links everywhere!

https://www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/ita-for-an-i-ecns-and-radio-frequency-spectrum-licences-for-the-woan

50 bucks to the person that can get the file open