The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“the Authority”) is inviting industry stakeholders to participate in a workshop on the allocation of the Digital Dividend spectrum. It will be held on 7 and 8 April at ICASA’s offices in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The workshop revolves around the fact that a large amount of spectrum, known as the Digital Dividend, will be freed up in the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television. A fair and well-balanced reallocation of the spectrum between broadcasting, broadband and ICT sectors will ensure that all South Africans receive the social and economic benefits of the Digital Dividend.
ICASA says that the aim of the workshop is to hear stakeholder views on the optimal allocation of the Digital Dividend spectrum in a manner that meets the social and economic goals of the Republic. The Authority will utilise the presentations and other collected information to develop a framework for a Digital Dividend review that will inform the approaches to frequency planning and other regulatory interventions and consider the impact of convergence on the approach to the allocation of the Digital Dividend.
Issues for discussion include but are not limited to:
· the regulatory approach that will ensure that the Digital Dividend is allocated in manner that meets national social and economic goals;
· the demand for Digital Dividend spectrum;
· the possible services that can utilise Digital Dividend spectrum, including the use of white space;
· the pricing of Digital Dividend spectrum;
· the terms and conditions for the allocation of the Digital Dividend, and
· when the Digital Dividend should be distributed and if it should be a phased approach.
Anyone wanting to attend the workshop or wanting to make a short presentation should contact Mamedupe Kgatshe at mkgatshe@icasa.org.za or Thandi Nkosi at cnkosi@icasa.org.za or telephonically on 011 566 3259.
