High-demand radio frequency spectrum: Cabinet has approved the text of the long-awaited spectrum policy direction: https://www.greengazette.co.za/notices/electronic-communications-act-36-2005-lifting-of-the-moratorium-of-the-moratorium-on-community-sound-broadcasting-licence-applications_20190726-GGN-42599-00397 B. Cabinet decisions    1. Policy and Policy Direction for the Licensing of the High Demand Spectrum 1.1. Cabinet approved the Policy and Policy Direction for the Licensing of the High Demand Spectrum after extensive consultations with the sector and the...Read More

Source: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/314627-bad-news-for-5g-in-south-africa.html Communication Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has released the policy on high demand spectrum and policy direction on the licensing of a wireless open-access network (WOAN). The policy document punts the benefits and the need for the open-access wireless network for South Africa to increase competition and benefit consumers. While there is a strong focus on...Read More

The President endorses 5G: -High tech industry expansion -Communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams will issue a policy direction to communications regulator Icasa within a month (the industry is desperate  to begin deployment of 5G technology) -Fourth Industrial Revolution -Coding and data analytics at a primary school level -National Development Plan -High-speed trains, megacities -High-tech economy ,...Read More

Vodacom and MTN are still waiting on ICASA to assign radio frequency spectrum for 5G networks. Rain is the only company in South Africa to have launched its 5G commercial network ( February 2019). In the first phase of Rain’s 5G roll out, Rain has deployed 20 new base stations in Johannesburg and Cape Town, covering...Read More

Vodacom and MTN are still waiting on ICASA to assign radio frequency spectrum for 5G networks. Rain is the only company in South Africa to have launched its 5G commercial network ( February 2019). They were able to launch the 5G service in Johannesburg by using the 3.6 GHz spectrum already licensed to them. Rain spokesperson...Read More

Rain is rolling out a 5G network in Johannesburg and Cape Town in partnership with Huawei and Nokia. MyBroadband asked to test Rain’s new 5G network, but CEO Willem Roos explained : –It is “not in a position to give access to test the network at this stage“. -‘There are no commercially-available 5G routers and...Read More

The draft Policy Direction has been published in the Government Gazette: www.gpwonline.co.za/Gazettes/Gazettes/41935_27-9_TelecomsPostalServ.pdf After considering public comments, the minister will issue a final Policy Direction to ICASA which will enable them to start their processes for licensing. Interested persons have until 8 November 2018 to provide written comments on the policy and policy direction. Dr Cwele...Read More