ICASA should sort out Screamer, says Sentech
It is no secret that Screamer Telecoms has been using Sentech’s 2.6GHz spectrum to provide consumers with WiMax and Wi-Fi services.
As early as mid-2009 media reports surfaced that Screamer Telecoms’ usage of Sentech’s spectrum, with Sentech denying that it has any relationship with the company.
“Sentech does not have any relationship with Screamer Telecoms. Sentech is not aware if Screamer Telecoms is using its broadband spectrum, if so it is illegal,” said Sentech’s Head of Corporate Communications, Polly Modiko said at the time.
One year later the issue made headlines again after former Sentech chairperson Quraysh Patel told parliament that Screamer Telecoms was illegally using their spectrum.
Patel added that he asked the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to act against Screamer Telecoms if they are still using Sentech’s spectrum, highlighting that Sentech discontinued its agreement with Screamer Telecoms in January 2010.
New Sentech chairperson Logan Naidoo today reiterated that Screamer Telecoms has no legal right to use Sentech’s spectrum, but explained that ICASA is the only organization which can do anything about the situation.
“Screamer is operating illegally in terms of legislation,” said Naidoo. “The matter is currently being litigated upon,” Naidoo confirmed, but added that “the ball is now in ICASA’s court.”
When asked whether heads will roll at the parastatal about the controversial spectrum sub-licensing agreement between Sentech and Screamer Telecoms (or a third party agreement which Screamer Telecoms used), Naidoo said that they would first like to stabilize the company before embarking on any investigation into this matter.
Naidoo however added that they are committed to weeding out corruption and conflicts of interest at Sentech, and that they have recently suspended six people from their procurement department who ‘did not toe the line’.
Sentech and Screamer Telecoms spectrum issue << Comments and views
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