On 1 November 2019, ICASA published the much anticipated
Information Memorandum for the high-demand spectrum licensing
process for comment (the Information Memorandum can be accessed here) . The information memorandum follows on
the publication of the Policy on High Demand Spectrum and
Policy Direction on the Licensing of a Wireless Open Access
Network, which mandated ICASA to develop an approach to
licensing the 4G and 5G spectrum.
The Information Memorandum invites comments on ICASA’s
views on the licensing of spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz,
2.6GHz, and 3.5GHz radio frequency bands. ICASA has said that
“the licensing of high demand spectrum is one of the critical
components to facilitate deployment of digital infrastructure to
ensure that all consumers and the business environment participate
meaningfully in future Information and Communications Technology
(ICT) opportunities towards the digital economy.” The
Information Memorandum further provides guidance
