Assignment of temporary spectrum a pressure test for mobile network operators

The temporary assignment of radio frequency spectrum in 2020 was a pressure test for mobile network operators. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TNJ Project Solutions, Nash Manyozo, tells the OFM Business Hour, that mobile operators who could withstand the pressure that came with remote working and home schooling as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic emerged financially successful and ready for the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution, whereas those who did not lost favour with South Africans who needed fast internet for virtual meetings, looming work deadlines and school projects. Manyozo is of the view that presently the African continent is not making the most of the digital wave, adding that there is space for greater improvement.

Manyozo’s insights come as tensions between the Independent Communication’s Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and some mobile operators reach at an all-time high over the spectrum auction process. Not only has the auction date itself been pushed back to March 2022 – a year after it was supposed to have initially taken place – but it appears that an impasse has now developed between Icasa and the operators of the temporary assignment of the radio frequency spectrum.

For context’s sake temporary spectrum was assigned in April 2020 as South Africa entered a State of National Disaster on the back of an outbreak of Covid-19 in the country. Icasa has now set a deadline for operators to return spectrum assignments – being 30 November. This deadline has resulted in another court bid against the regulator.

According to Reuters the country’s biggest mobile networks are the ones behind the lawsuit namely: MTN, Vodacom and Telkom.