ICASA receives 35 applications for temporary high-demand spectrum concessions

South Africa’s telecoms regulator ICASA has received around 35 applications for temporary licences for high-demand spectrum, TechCentral writes. Earlier this month, the authority revealed plans to assign high-demand spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands to ease network congestion, maintain good quality broadband services and allow licensees to lower the cost of access to consumers during the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. ICASA Acting Chairman Keabetswe Modimoeng said: ‘It is of critical importance to note that the emergency release of this spectrum does not, in any way whatsoever, negate the processes that are currently under way for the permanent assignment of spectrum through an auction.’ The official noted that ICASA still intends to finalise the licensing process for the aforementioned bands by the end of the year.