Broadband31.05.2011

Spectrum: Use it or lose it, warns minister

Wireless spectrum allocation tower

Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie today delivered his budget vote speech, highlighting the need to optimise frequency spectrum to provide ‘more services to the people’.

“Radio frequency spectrum is a strategic natural scarce resource at our disposal to effect changes in the provision of electronic communications service at a faster rate,” said Padayachie.

According to the minister, the Department of Communications (DoC), in partnership with ICASA, will conduct a radio frequency spectrum audit to ensure effective utilisation of scarce resources, covering all bands, contained in the national frequency plan.

“Licensed entities unable to account for their use of the allocated radio frequency spectrum may forfeit their rights in terms of the law. We are prepared to amend the law to ensure efficient utilisation of the radio frequency spectrum,” said Padayachie.

Padayachie added that they intend to issue a Policy Direction to ICASA to conduct a review of the Digital Dividend, which is the spectrum to be freed by the digital broadcasting migration process.

“The digital dividend will result in the licensing of further communications services such as mobile TV, High Definition TV, public emergency services and additional standard definition TV,” said Padayachie.

“In terms of the radio frequency spectrum licensing, the new radio frequency spectrum policy trajectory will consider allocating parts of the high demand radio frequency spectrum towards accelerating development of rural connectivity. We will also ensure that our licensing framework balances the needs of the big and smaller entities,” Padayachie concluded.

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