Pretoria – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA/the Authority) hereby wishes to inform all stakeholders that it is reviewing the timelines relating to the licensing of the Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN) as previously set out in the notice published by the Authority on 1 October 2021.

In the above-mentioned notice, the Authority communicated a truncated timetable in relation to the licensing of the WOAN which included the publication of a consultative document on 19 November 2021.

However, given the sensitivity of the spectrum licensing process and the ongoing consultation processes in that regard, as well as numerous continuous related considerations including legal imperatives, ICASA has resolved to temporarily suspend the timetable relating to the licensing of the WOAN. This is done to allow the conclusion of the consultation process relating to the permanent licensing of the IMT spectrum thus enabling the Authority to interrogate the impact of the outcomes on the licensing of the WOAN.

The consultation processes in relation to the licensing of IMT spectrum are underway and progressing well. In this regard, the Authority resolved not to publish the envisaged WOAN consultation document on 19 November 2021 as previously communicated.

In the intervening period, the Authority will engage other international jurisdictions to draw lessons from their experiences on the licensing of a typical WOAN.

The Chairperson of ICASA, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng says that there is a compelling reason to revise this tactical approach with regards to the WOAN process. “This WOAN licensing process is aimed at introducing an additional credible player with a view to promote competition in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector for the benefit of all South Africans. Therefore, it is very important to enhance our knowledge and develop a holistic approach to the WOAN process. Such additional engagements will provide a clearer guidance in terms of how effective and economical this licensing process will be,” says Dr Modimoeng.

Based on the outcomes of further engagements and subsequent analysis of the model thereof, coupled with the findings from the IMT spectrum consultation processes (where applicable), the Authority will publish a notice advising of the process to be followed in respect of the licensing of the WOAN by no later than March 2022.

The Authority remains committed to ensuring transparency in its process of issuing the Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (I-ECNS) and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences for the purpose of operating a WOAN.

The Authority further confirms that there will still be radio frequency spectrum set aside for the WOAN even as the auction is taking place, and the Authority is of the view that the licensing of the WOAN will indeed bring much-needed structural reform to the mobile voice and data services markets.

Ends…

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