{"id":77778,"date":"2013-05-15T12:01:56","date_gmt":"2013-05-15T10:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=77778"},"modified":"2013-05-15T12:34:23","modified_gmt":"2013-05-15T10:34:23","slug":"icasa-comments-shock-industry-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/cellular\/77778-icasa-comments-shock-industry-players.html","title":{"rendered":"ICASA comments shock industry players"},"content":{"rendered":"

ICASA<\/a> councillor Marcia Socikwa<\/a>\u2019s recent comments that mobile operators have enough spectrum in the regulator\u2019s eyes have stunned many industry players. Questions have also been raised about Socikwa\u2019s proposed solutions to the growing capacity challenges.<\/p>\n

Speaking on an SAFM interview, Socikwa said that the cry for additional spectrum by the mobile operators surprises her, \u201cbecause they have sufficient spectrum from where we are sitting\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll they need to do is invest in optimising the network and improve quality of service. Then we will have a further conversation about whether they need more spectrum,\u201d said Socikwa.<\/p>\n

World Wide Worx<\/a> MD Arthur Goldstuck<\/a> called Socikwa\u2019s argument absurd, explaining that the networks had to jump through hoops to start rolling out LTE with re-farmed spectrum.<\/p>\n

Many other industry players with which MyBroadband spoke shared Goldstuck\u2019s view, but they asked to remain anonymous because they work for the mobile operators.<\/p>\n

Network capacity challenge faced by networks<\/h3>\n

There has been an explosion in mobile data traffic over the last few years, partly driven by the increased use of smartphones, tablet PCs and other portable data devices.<\/p>\n

This problem is not unique to South Africa, as the following chart from Ericsson<\/a> about global voice and data traffic highlights.<\/p>\n

\"Total<\/a>

Total Monthly Mobile Voice and Data as Measured by Ericsson<\/p><\/div>\n

Ways to increase radio network capacity and service levels<\/h3>\n

There are a few ways in which mobile networks can increase network capacity and the quality of service, but some of these solutions have their own challenges:<\/p>\n