27 November 2023
Telkom wants the next auction of international mobile telecommunications (IMT) radio frequency spectrum to be pushed back to 2025.
In its financial results for the six months ended September 30, the company revealed it had submitted a formal request to which the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has not yet responded.
According to Telkom, "ICASA still needs to carry out studies in preparation for the next auction and that the current difficult economic environment, including the impact of load shedding, will make it particularly difficult for Telkom and other stakeholders to participate in the auction. market at auction.”
The auction of the international mobile telecommunications radio frequency spectrum in question is scheduled for March 2024. It follows a first sale successfully completed in March 2022 with the participation of Telkom, Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Rain. These operators acquired additional capacities for a total amount of 14.4 billion rand.
Through the new auction, the regulator wants to guarantee the universal availability of broadband services, a robust and competitive telecommunications sector, as well as promote investments in the country.
However, Vodacom and MTN do not share the same opinion. They believe that the regulator should stick to the planned schedule, as the additional telecom frequencies should improve network coverage and quality and meet the ever-increasing demand for high-speed connectivity.
