Page 8 - EngineerIT November 2021

ICT

Who will keep the connectivity 'lights' on when

ICASA flips the switch on 30 November?

he Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA/the
Authority) has resolved that the temporary radio frequency spectrum assigned to licensees
Tin April 2020 will now have to be returned to the Authority by no later 30 November 2021.
The Authority has since then twice extended the duration of the temporary radio frequency
spectrum assignment, the last expiry date being 31 August 2021.

Digital fratricide
Paul Colmer, Exco member of Wireless Access Providers Association (WAPA) has pointed out that
South Africans who work from home, study online and try to keep their businesses alive rely on
connectivity, without which it all ends. “Digital loadshedding” is small fry compared to digital
fratricide. ICASA is effectively snuffing the concerted and, quite frankly, miraculous efforts of so
many businesses, workers and students who have survived lockdown using nothing but cellular
connectivity, by reclaiming 5G spectrum from the mobile networks.
Paul said one would have expected a huge media outcry from the mobile networks about
ICASA’s move. They stand to lose billions. It’s also not difficult to imagine Business Leadership
South Africa’s (BLSA) partisan interests. WAPA, however, has no such interests. In fact, quite the Paul Colmer
opposite, our members stand to gain when ICASA reclaims the spectrum.
One operator, Telkom, is challenging ICASA’s determination to end access to the special Covid -19 spectrum assignment, the last expiry date
spectrum by 30 November in court, but on 13 October 2021, ICASA resolved to oppose the litigation being 31 August 2021.
instituted by Telkom to prevent the expiry of the temporary COVID-19 spectrum allocation. According to the chairperson of ICASA,
ICASA believes that the circumstances and considerations that informed the issuing of the Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng: ‘‘The Authority’s
radio frequency spectrum at the onset of the pandemic never contemplated that the spectrum interventions with regards to the release of
would be licensed on a long-term or semi-permanent basis. The Authority would therefore be the temporary radio frequency spectrum
derelict in its duty if it were, by default, to perpetuate what is now becoming an anti-competitive, have indeed contributed immensely to the
unfair and unjust spectrum licensing regime, under the guise of pandemic relief. fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and
Colmer said: “Think about it, when ICASA shuts down bandwidth that has helped MTN to ensuring that South Africans were, and
alone double its data volume since the start of lockdown, the network is going to be so heavily continue to be, able to communicate during
congested it will slow to a crawl. Customers will jump ship left, right and centre, but to where? these unprecedented times. However, the
WAPA members, the wireless internet service providers (WISP), had to meet the connectivity Authority cannot allow the temporary spectrum
needs of customers during lockdown, which about doubled since the start of lockdown, with the assignment to assume a state of permanence.”
same networks they had before lockdown started. They were never allocated a whole bunch of
new spectrum from ICASA, even though WISPS would have benefitted enormously from Wi-Fi 6E Meet WAPA
spectrum allocations, which WAPA is currently negotiating for. WAPA, established in 2006, is a non-profit
“Our members had to struggle through, like so many South Africans trying to figure out how trade association acting as a collective
to simply get the job done”, Colmer said voice for the wireless industry. Its primary
“The cellular networks did a good job keeping people going during lockdown. But what are objective is to promote the growth of
people supposed to do now? Wireless internet works because it’s robust, reliable, high-speed the wireless industry by facilitating self-
and cost-effective. So much so that even the people who suddenly get fibre in smaller towns and regulation, promoting best practices, and
switch, hoping for great speeds, often switch back to wireless again shortly afterwards. And it educating both members and the market
offers proper broadband, unlike what you get from oversubscribed or congested cellular networks, about new wireless technologies and
or such as when you’re outside the small percentage of 4G or LTE coverage and get lumped with business models. WAPA offers its members
glacial 3G connectivity.” regulatory advice, technical training, a code
of conduct, a forum for knowledge-sharing
WISPs to the rescue and business-enablement opportunities.
“When ICASA sucks back the 5G spectrum it allocated to the mobile networks, effectively WAPA is positioned to be an interface
scuppering their quality of service and experience, WISPs will be the only way many people are between the government regulator (ICASA),
going to be able to keep working, studying and running their businesses effectively. Our members network operators, service providers
stand to benefit from what I feel is, frankly, poor decision-making at ICASA. Yet, even as we engage and consumers. WAPA regularly makes
ICASA on a number of issues, including Wi-Fi 6E, so that we can help owner-operated internet submissions and presentations to the
businesses improve the lives of ordinary South Africans in the communities where they live, government on regulations affecting the
wireless internet service providers will pick up the slack and keep the digital lights on. wireless industry. WAPA is tirelessly lobbying
The temporary radio frequency spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited ITA for more progressive and efficient spectrum
during April 2020 on the initial declaration of the National State of Disaster, which in turn was management in South Africa and is focusing
occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. on the possibilities of TV White Spaces (TVWS)
The Authority has since twice extended the duration of the temporary radio frequency spectrum for interference-free access. n

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