Communications minister Mondli Gungubele has published the revised Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy of South Africa.
According to Gungubele, the policy seeks to utilise spectrum to drive broader and inclusive economic participation and development for all. It also identifies “gaps in the spectrum management regime” regarding spectrum coordination, spectrum fees, spectrum trading, sharing, spectrum re-farming and migration of services, and alignment of national universal service obligations to respond to government policy objectives.According to the document, the current legislative framework for managing the spectrum is over 20 years old.
In terms of this policy, a spectrum licensee has the discretion to use the spectrum which has been assigned or awarded. The spectrum will be licensed on a “technology-neutral basis” or allow the spectrum licensees the choice of what technology to use to provide a specified service, and on a “service-neutral basis” or allow the spectrum licensees to decide what service to provide.