RADIO NEWS

Radio frequency spectrum regulations

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:13

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations on 31 March 2011 in the Government Gazette and on the ICASA website.

A statement from ICASA reads: "As a general rule, these regulations are applicable to all frequency bands. They act as an umbrella set of Radio Frequency Spectrum regulations that are in principle applicable to all areas of the radio frequency spectrum and to all types of licensed services.

"The new spectrum licensing regime establishes the framework through which the Authority may allocate and assign radio frequency spectrum under the National Radio Frequency plan; and provides for circumstances in which the use or possession of radio apparatus does not require a radio frequency spectrum licence.

"The regulations ensure transparent, fair and efficient procedures and processes for Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence applications. They further allow greater flexibility such that special conditions and procedures for specific frequency bands can be applied.

"They also provide for procedure and criteria for awarding radio frequency spectrum licences for competing applications or instances where there is insufficient spectrum available to accommodate demand. Among others, the regulations set out the principles and procedures for frequency coordination where spectrum is assigned on a shared basis and dispute resolution mechanisms with regard to shared spectrum."

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