ICASA puts 4G spectrum licensing on hold

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has decided to postpone the licensing of "high-demand spectrum" in the coveted 800MHz and 2,6GHz radio frequency bands "until further notice" to ensure a forthcoming policy direction from communications minister Dina Pule is taken into consideration.

The move follows strong criticism from a number of operators that have warned ICASA is opening itself up to possible legal action if it proceeds with its plans to license the spectrum without waiting for the minister's policy direction document.

Efficient assignment of spectrum in the two bands is seen as crucial to delivering next-generation broadband services to South Africans and to overcoming the so-called "digital divide" between connected urban citizens and those living in rural areas. Though ICASA won't tell operators what technologies to use in the two bands, most will want to use the bands to offer next-generation wireless networks based on a technology called long-term evolution, or LTE.

LTE is sometimes referred to as a fourth-generation (4G) mobile technology to differentiate it from older 3G technologies such as high-speed packet access.

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