Spectrum court case will provide clarity for South Africa

The DA’s Marian Shinn has stated that the court case on the spectrum stand-off between Icasa and the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele, will hopefully clarify the legality of Icasa’s proposed auction.

“The parliamentary portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services heard today that Icasa is confident in the process it followed in the gazetting of an Invitation to Apply to participate in an auction for high-demand spectrum,” said Shinn.

“It is our view that the invitation be amended in response to valid criticisms lodged with Icasa and any actions that the court may request to ensure speedy auction of the spectrum.”

“South Africa desperately needs the spectrum to rapidly bridge the digital divide between marginalised and privileged communities in the best interests of service delivery, economic growth, and international inclusion.”

“Cwele was today loathe to engage the committee on the details of his application, despite having conducted a number of media interviews on why the auction was at odds with his (unpublished) plans for a Wireless Open Access Network as envisaged in the ICT White Paper.”

“The review of ICT policy was started in 2012 and the resultant White Paper has been bogged down by the Cabinet approval process since 2 March 2016.”

She said Icasa gave the committee the history of its actions, maintaining its view that it followed an inclusive and open process before gazetting the invitation.

More on spectrum

Telkom considers suing Icasa over spectrum

Telecommunications Ministry files legal suit to block sale of spectrum