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ICASA invites would-be bidders to apply for 700-MHz, 800-MHz and 2.6-GHz auction.
South Africa’s telecom regulator has formally invited applications to take part in an upcoming auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) made the announcement late last week, bringing to an end years of debate over spectrum allocations in the country.
"The main aim of licensing 700-MHz, 800-MHz and 2600-MHz is to ensure nationwide broadband access for all citizens by 2020 in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) and SA Connect Policy," ICASA said.
The allocation of more spectrum will help boost affordability and quality of services, as well as promoting investment in the telecoms sector and thereby facilitating economic growth, the regulator added.
Like many markets, South Africa’s operators need more spectrum to keep up with the growing demand for mobile data.
"The lack of availability of spectrum for IMT brings constraints and challenges in the provision of broadband services," ICASA said. "In order to address South Africa’s bandwidth deficiency, the current allocated bandwidth of 567 MHz IMT spectrum needs to be increased."
The regulator did not provide further details of the auction in its official statement, but Bloomberg secured additional comment.
The state is selling five spectrum blocks at a reserve price of 3 billion rand (€189 million) each, the newswire said.
It has invited major telcos, including Vodacom and MTN, to take part in the process.
