Internet licence must serve all

Johannesburg - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) said on Friday all applications for radio frequency spectrum licences will be considered, as long as breaching the technology gap forms part of the proposed business model.

A radio frequency spectrum is the wireless answer to landline-dependent internet. Internet service providers who want to go wireless rely on allocated spectrum to provide the service to their customers. It will allow wireless technologies to take bandwidth to a wider market in South Africa and solve key connectivity challenges.

Icasa chairperson Paris Mashile said applicants should prove that their service will reach rural communities.

"Licences will be awarded to those who will best serve the public and provide the greatest benefit for the whole country," said Mashile. Particular emphasis will be placed on rural telecommunications development.

Icasa will start processing applications in March 2010. At least four licences are available in packages of 30MHz each.

According to Mashile, spectrum is a "scarce resource" but companies like Sentech will be allowed to keep their large frequency ranges, as long as they use all of it for "the greater good of the public".

Sentech was the initial provider of all frequencies, until technology group Altech won a landmark case against the department of communications in 2008 which led to the deregulation of the market. Private firms may now apply for the remaining frequencies.

"The use it or lose it principle applies to all and sundry, regardless of station or political position," said Mashile.

To qualify for a licence the operator must be at least 30% black-owned and be able to "deploy the networks to allow as many South Africans as possible to gain access in a timely manner", said Mashile.

-Fin24.com