DYNAMIC, OPPORTUNISTIC SPECTRUM ACCESS, MANAGEMENT: FINDINGS DOCUMENT PUBLISHED

DYNAMIC, OPPORTUNISTIC SPECTRUM ACCESS, MANAGEMENT: FINDINGS DOCUMENT PUBLISHED

• 26 March 2024
• Communications & Digital Technologies
• SA Legal Academy

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has gazetted a findings document following Phase 2 of its inquiry into dynamic spectrum (TV white space) access and opportunistic spectrum management. This phase of inquiry began in April 2023, with the aim of exploring the merits or otherwise of introducing a regulatory framework for:

• authorising access to dynamic spectrum/TV white space in the S and C frequency bands
• authorising the introduction of ‘secondary spectrum markets’ in those bands
• prescribing the necessary technical conditions, in keeping with national radio frequency plan imperatives, and
• ensuring that S and C band primary users are protected from ‘harmful interference’.

In the authority’s view, regulatory frameworks are required for dynamic spectrum access implementation and opportunistic spectrum management. The authority believes that this will:

• ensure the ‘efficient utilisation of spectrum resources
• ‘support universal broadband access’
• facilitate market access by small operators, community networks and new entrants, and 
• encourage ‘innovation in emerging and future wireless services’.

To that end, draft regulations will be developed for public comment.

• findings document (including the authority’s position on each issue explored)

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

Follow us on X @SALegalAcademy (you can also join us on LinkedIn and Facebook)

0 COMMENTS

LEAVE A COMMENT