Cell C secures more 3G spectrum
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) recently published information about the licensing of the 3G band (1920 – 1980 MHz paired with 2110 – 2170 MHz) and 1800MHz (1710 -1785MHz paired with 1805-1880 MHz).
This document focused on Cell C’s application for ‘additional approved bandwidth in the 2100MHz band’. Cell C requested the ICASA council to approve the issuing of additional 2 x 5MHz bandwidth in the 2100MHz band to them.
Good news for Cell C is that their request was approved, and ICASA announced that the cellular operator has been assigned an additional 5MHz to their existing 2x10MHz 3G spectrum.
According to Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt they will use the bandwidth for their HSPA+ services – in particularl for capacity and in-fill where needed.
Current 3G spectrum
With the latest assignment of spectrum to Cell C, the 3G band (1920 -1980 MHz paired with 2110 – 2170 MHz) is now assigned as follows:
- Vodacom 2x 15 MHz (1920 -1935 MHz) // (2110-2125 MHz)
- MTN 2x 15 MHz (1950 -1965 MHz) // (2140-2155 MHz)
- Cell-C 2x 15 MHz (1935 -1950 MHz) // (2125-2140 MHz)
- Telkom 2x 10 MHz (1970 -1980 MHz) // (2160-2170 MHz)
According to ICASA, Telkom has expressed interest in applying for the remaining 5MHz spectrum to also take their total assignment to 2x15MHz – in line with Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.
In addition to the paired spectrum above, the following unpaired 3G spectrum has also been assigned:
- Vodacom 5 MHz (2020 – 2025 MHz)
- MTN 5 MHz (2015 – 2020 MHz)
ICASA also published a list of licensed spectrum in the 1800MHz band:
- Vodacom 2×12 MHz (1760.3 -1772.3 MHz) // (1855.3 -1867.3 MHz)
- MTN 2×12 MHz (1722.7 -1734.7 MHz) // (1817.7 -1829.7 MHz)
- Cell-C 2×12 MHz (1747.9 -1759.9 MHz) // (1842.91854,9MHz)
- Telkom 2×12 MHz (1735.1 -1747.1 MHz) // (1830.1-1842.1 MHz)
- WBS 2×12 MHz (1772.7 -1784.7 MHz) // (1867.7 -1879.7 MHz)
- Neotel 2×12 MHz (1710.3 -1722.3 MHz) // (1805.3 -1817.3 MHz)
Cell C secures more 3G spectrum << Comments and views
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