Page 47 - EngineerIT October 2022

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Draft of next generation radio frequency policy

published for comment

hrough this Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy (“Spectrum Policy”),
the government aims to promote long-term public interest derived from the use
Tof spectrum as a finite natural resource. The Spectrum Policy is used to coordinate
national spectrum management approaches to support the rollout of communications
networks for socio-economic national development.

What does government hope to achieve?
The primary purpose of this Spectrum Policy is to address the policy gaps and limitations
that were identified in the ICT White Paper, which includes:
• Unclear roles and responsibilities between the minister and the regulator resulting in
institutional inefficiencies.
• Gaps in the spectrum management regime with regard to the alignment between
national universal service objectives and the licensing of frequency spectrum
resources, the setting of spectrum fees, spectrum trading, sharing, re-farming and
migration.
• An exclusive spectrum regime which promotes economic growth for a few market
players at the expense of broader participation and limited socio-economic Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of
development, and therefore an inequitable assignment of spectrum which is in high communication and digital services
demand.
• Extending broadband access to rural, remote and under-serviced areas, and failure to The Spectrum Policy continues to
“lower the cost of communications”. recognise provision of spectrum for
government services, public protection
The Spectrum Policy derives its enabling principles and guidelines from the 2016 and disaster relief (PPDR) services,
Integrated ICT White Paper policy (“ICT White Paper”), and the 2010 spectrum policy of safety services and state emergency
South Africa. Without deviating from the generality of the ICT White Paper, this policy interventions in response to disasters.
seeks to utilise the spectrum to drive broader and inclusive economic participation and
development for all. The ICT White Paper of 2016 was received with mixed feelings by the Interested persons are invited to provide
industry and drew opposition to many of its proposals. written comments on the proposed
The introduction to the draft regulations states: “The radio frequency spectrum is Spectrum Policy within 30 working days
a finite natural resource that is vital to the growth of South Africa’s digital economy, of the date of publication
and it is a vital element for development of the electronic communications network (8 September 2022), addressed to:
infrastructure. The Director General,
The right of use of spectrum vests with the state and all sectors should benefit from Department of Communications and
its use. The spectrum must provide all South Africans with access to a range of private, Digital Technologies,
commercial, defence, national security, scientific and public safety applications. For attention: Mr. T Ngobeni, Deputy
To ensure social, cultural and sustainable economic development within the country, Director General, Infrastructure Support.
this Spectrum Policy supports spectrum allocation and licensing of spectrum for fixed, spectrumpolicy@dcdt.gov.za;
land mobile, broadcasting, aeronautical and maritime, amateur, satellite, science, Telephone: +27 12 427 8000.
research and development, community access and other vertical industries and sectors The Gazette 46873 is available from
such as manufacturing, mining, agriculture, health, education etc. www.gpwonline.co.za

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