ICASA publishes re-use plan for analogue TV bands
November 4, 2019
By Chris Forrester
South Africa’s telecoms regulator ICASA has published details of various options open to government for the adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.
Part of the plan covers the redistribution of 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands, currently used by analogue TV, as well as the licensing of the 3.5 GHz band specifically for 5G usage.
Overall, ICASA’s plan calls for available spectrum to be increased for cellular usage from today’s 566 MHz to 958 MHz. Specifically, Icasa is looking to license:
· 60MHz (2x30MHz) in the 700MHz band
· 60MHz (2x30MHz) in the 800MHz band
· 40MHz in the 2.3GHz band
· 170MHz in the 2.6GHz band
· 116MHz in the 3.5GHz band
Once industry comments are received, and an final adjustments made with governmental approval given there will be national spectrum auctions.