Icasa to proceed with auction of R15bn broadband spectrum
THE Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is planning to proceed with an auction of more than $1bn of high-speed broadband spectrum next year and will refund winning companies if the government succeeds in blocking the sale.The auction process has been postponed to May from January, according to a revised plan by Icasa. The government is against the sale, arguing that SA’s biggest phone companies, including MTN. and Vodacom, will benefit at the expense of smaller competitors. A case to prevent the planned auction will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria starting on Tuesday.The regulator said in July it plans to sell five blocks of spectrum starting at R3bn each to help extend internet access across Africa’s most industrialised economy. The government wants the plan to be scrapped in favour of a system where telecommunications infrastructure is shared equally among market participants.SA’s largest wireless operators have been clamouring for more spectrum...
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