Pretoria – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA/the Authority) will hold public hearings from 7 to 9 September 2021 in respect of the Draft National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) 2021 as published on 9 July 2021. The timing of the hearings will follow the attached schedule.

The Authority received 36 submissions in respect of this process.

The Draft NRFP-2021 provides for the allocation of the radiocommunications services in the frequency bands 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz. The Authority further highlights that all radio frequency services and assignments in the Republic of South Africa must be in accordance with the National Radio Frequency Plan on a technology-neutral basis.

‘The Authority has undertaken to review and/or revise the draft NRFP having due regard of the decisions taken at the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19), to ensure efficient and effective use of the radio frequency spectrum. In addition, the draft NRFP reflects the 2020 edition of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Radio Regulations, as well as the relevant frequency allocations relevant and its associated footnotes,’ says ICASA Councillor, Peter Zimri.

When developing the Draft NRFP, ICASA had to ensure that it is consistent with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Frequency Allocation Plan (FAP) and the African Telecommunications Union initiatives for the sole purpose of ensuring regional harmonisation with the resultant benefits on economies of scale.

According to Zimri, harmonisation of the radio frequency spectrum in the region as well as across the world is an important initiative that allows the country to enjoy the benefits of the economies of scale, and to warrant the introduction of new technologies with greater spin-offs for its citizens.

Among other provisions in the draft NRFP is the incorporation of globally harmonised frequency bands in the Low, Mid and High identified for IMT-2020 for the deployment of the Fifth Generation of Networks (5G), thereby facilitating diverse usage scenarios for, inter alia, enhanced mobile broadband services.

To participate in the public hearings, follow the link below.

Click here to join the meeting

Ends…

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Paseka Maleka

Tel : (012) 568 3455

Cell : 079 509 0702

E-mail : pmaleka@icasa.org.za

SCHEDULE FOR ORAL PRESENTATION

Tuesday, 7 September 2021

Wednesday, 8 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021