Telkom considering 2.6 GHz options
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) recently released regulations on how it will grant radio frequency spectrum licenses for competing applications or instances where there is insufficient spectrum available to accommodate demand.
To date numerous industry players and regulatory experts have criticized the regulations for both its onerous requirements on licensees and the lack of clarity regarding the auction process, with at least one analyst suggesting that ICASA should go back to the drawing board.
Media reports started surfacing that some operators may pull out of the spectrum auction process unless ICASA changes its tune, including ITWeb which reported that “Telkom has opened the door for smaller telecoms players to get in on the spectrum action, by confirming it is not in the running for any more.”
This report came as a surprise as Telkom recently announced that Telkom Mobile will be looking at LTE in future.
“A further enhancement is the deployment of Software Definable Radios allowing significant flexibility in terms of how 2G, 3G and, in the future, 4G is rolled out within the network. These systems are useful in improving spectrum utilisation efficiency and are LTE ready ensuring that Telkom is able to match subscriber expectations well into the future,” Telkom said.
Telkom has now said that the media report regarding its apparent withdrawal from the 2.6 GHz spectrum application and auction process is inaccurate. “Telkom refutes the claim that the Company has decided not to bid for the 2.6 GHz spectrum,” Telkom said.
“Like many other licensees, Telkom is currently considering its options in terms of the ITA published by the Authority and has until 30 July 2010 to respond in this regard.”
2.6 GHz spectrum is particularly suitable for WiMax and LTE network deployments, and it is therefore expected that Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and potentially Cell C (depending on finances) will be interested in this spectrum for LTE while Internet Solutions, MWEB, Altech, Neotel and others may bid on it for WiMax deployments.
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