Dynamic Spectrum Management in South Africa

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[27 September 2025]

ICASA has published the hearing agenda and the Microsoft Teams link to attend online on its website.

[3 September 2025]

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has announced that public hearings for the Draft Regulations on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management will be held from October 1 to 3, 2025.

These hearings, which will focus on the Innovation Spectrum Frequency Ranges 3800 – 4200 MHz and 5925 – 6425 MHz, will begin at 8:00 AM each day. You can attend either in person or online. Details about the agenda and the link for online participation are not yet available.

Draft Regulations on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management (DSA) in the Innovation Spectrum Frequency Ranges 3800 – 4200 MHz and 5925 – 6425 MHz

ICASA Draft Regulations for Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management: Public Hearings

[4 August 2025]

Public hearings have been postponed. We will notify you when new dates are set. In the meantime, you can review the written submissions on the Draft Regulations here:

[21 July 2025]

Hearings for the Draft Regulations for Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management will take place from August 6th to 8th, 2025, allowing for public comment.

Draft Program -DSA Public Hearings

[29 March 2025]

For public input, ICASA has issued draft regulations on Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Opportunistic Spectrum Management within the innovation spectrum frequency ranges of 3800-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz. The regulations specify how electronic communication equipment can be authorized to access these radio frequency bands.

Submissions are due by no later than 16h00 on 30 May 2025 marked for the  attention of Ms Pumla Ntshalintshali.
Email: DSA2023@icasa.org.za
Copy: PNtshalintshali@icasa.org.za and rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za

Media Statement Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

Draft Regulations on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management (DSA) in the Innovation Spectrum Frequency Ranges 3800 – 4200 MHz and 5925 – 6425 MHz

[15 June 2024]

ICASA has pushed back the deadline for submissions to 26 July 2024 and has provided additional details regarding its request for information on the use of the 3800–4200 MHz and 5925–6425 MHz frequency bands.

Extension Request for Information on systems operating in the 3800–4200 MHz and 5925–6425 MHz bands. 21 June 2024

The initial response may not have met expectations…

[25 June 2024]

To create a regulatory sandbox for the 3800–4200 MHz and 5925–6425 MHz bands and to facilitate the testing of spectrum-sharing techniques, ICASA is now seeking details about radio stations using these bands.

Request for Information on systems operating in the 3800–4200 MHz and 5925–6425 MHz bands

Submissions should be sent by 16:30 on Friday, 3 July 2024, via email (in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and PDF) addressed to Ms. Pumla Ntshalintshali at PNtshalintshali@icasa.org.za. ICASA has indicated that it may consider late submissions to ensure precise modeling.

[26 March 2024]

ICASA has concluded its inquiry by publishing a findings and position paper.

Findings and Position Paper on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

[22 May 2023]

The deadline for comments on the Discussion Document regarding Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management has been extended from 12 May 2023 to 16:00 on 26 June 2023. Previous submissions can be updated or resubmitted if necessary.

Notice of Extension

[10 April 2023]

ICASA has released a Discussion Document on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management for public feedback.

Discussion Document on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

This document focuses on applying dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) management techniques to frequency bands outside traditional broadcasting use. Frequency ranges between 3100 MHz and 7450 MHz are under review. This extends ICASA’s previous efforts to enable the use of television white space (TVWS) spectrum.

The deadline for comments, which should address specific questions posed by ICASA, is 16:00 on 12 May 2023. Responses can be emailed to dsa2023@icasa.org.za, directed to Ms. Pumla Ntshalintshali.

[1 April 2021]

The 2018 Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces came into effect on 1 April 2021, and ICASA has invited Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and other interested parties to start commercial use.

Notice to Enforce the Regulations on Television White Spaces 2018

A list of approved Secondary Geo-location Spectrum Database (S-GLSD) service providers is available at https://whitespaces.csir.co.za/

Ellipsis has been involved in TVWS developments in South Africa since the successful Cape Town Television White Spaces Trial in 2013. Ellipsis commends ICASA, CSIR, Google, Microsoft, and the Wireless Access Providers’ Association (WAPA) for realizing commercial use after eight years.

[2 March 2021]

ICASA has issued an invitation for participation in a qualification process to operate as a secondary geo-location service provider through the Secondary Geo-location Spectrum Database (S-GLSD).

Invitation to Participate in Qualification Process to Operate an S-GLSD

No closing date has been specified, allowing applicants to begin the self-certification and qualification application process as outlined in the Framework to Qualify to Operate a Secondary TVWS Database Regulations 2020.

Inquiries and submissions can be sent to Ms. Pumla Ntshalintshali at sglsdtvwhitespaces@icasa.org.za.

The 2018 TVWS Regulations take effect on 1 April 2021.

[18 August 2020]

ICASA has announced that the 2018 Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces, published on 23 March 2018, will take effect on 1 April 2021.

Notice on Commencement Date for TVWS Regulations 2018

[20 July 2020]

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has created an informative infographic about using television white spaces (TVWS) in South Africa.

Infographic: Solving Broadband Access in South Africa with TV White Spaces

[8 June 2020]

With the release of the Framework to Qualify to Operate a Secondary Geo-Location Spectrum Database Regulations on 5 June 2020, ICASA has essentially completed the regulatory framework for utilizing television white spaces (TVWS) in South Africa.

Framework to Qualify to Operate a Secondary TVWS Database Regulations 2020

These regulations took effect on 5 June 2020.

[22 February 2020]

A call for public comment has been issued on a proposed framework governing applications to ICASA to operate a secondary geo-location spectrum database to facilitate TVWS usage in South Africa. ICASA will maintain the primary database identifying accessible “white spaces” nationwide, while secondary database operators will use this information to offer commercial services.

Notice Inviting Comments on the Draft Framework to Qualify to Operate a Secondary Geo-Location Spectrum Database

Submissions are due by 16:00 on 3 March 2020 and can be sent to Ms. Pumla Ntshalintshali at pntshalintshali@icasa.org.za.

[9 October 2018]

ICASA has invited proposals from higher education and research institutions to develop, implement, host, and manage the Reference Geo-Location Spectrum Database (R-GLSD) to support the implementation of the Television White Spaces Regulations. The deadline for submissions is 23 October 2018.

Bid Document: Geo-Location Spectrum Database

Geo-Location Spectrum Database (Ann A)

[23 March 2018]

ICASA has issued final regulations on the use of television white spaces in South Africa.

Regulations on Use of TVWS – 23 March 2018

The regulations will be effective on a date yet to be announced, pending the development of necessary geolocation database infrastructure by ICASA.

[20 April 2017]

Ellipses have prepared an overview and status update document on Dynamic Spectrum Assignment and Television White Spaces in South Africa, available at the link below.

Status Update on Dynamic Spectrum Assignment and Television White Spaces in South Africa

[10 April 2017]

ICASA has advanced this process by releasing a Position Paper and draft regulations to govern the use of television white spaces (TVWS).

Draft Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces

Position Paper on Dynamic and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

Comments are due by 16:00 on 19 May 2017 and should be directed to Mr. Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho at rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za.

[28 October 2016]

There are signs of renewed momentum in the regulatory process for dynamic spectrum access in South Africa.

The updated spectrum policy, part of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper, supports dynamic spectrum access:

“Dynamic spectrum access, an emerging, advanced method for spectrum management, is linked to other techniques like flexible spectrum management and spectrum trading. The World Bank and ITU describe it as utilizing spectrum ‘in terms of time slots and/or geographically,’ allowing users to access specific spectrum pieces for a set period or area, requiring re-application for continued access. Such access is permitted within regulator guidelines.”

The 2017 Global Summit on Dynamic Spectrum Allocation (DSA) will take place in Cape Town from 9–11 May 2017, with ICASA co-hosting alongside the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance.

[17 June 2016]

ICASA has released its findings from the inquiry into dynamic and opportunistic spectrum management.

Findings Document on Dynamic and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

However, the findings lack definitive conclusions, and the outlined future steps are not particularly persuasive:

  1. CONCLUSIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD

7.1 All stakeholder inputs have been acknowledged and considered in this document.

7.2 The Authority will use these findings to formulate positions on the key proposals from the discussion document.

7.3 Alongside developing these positions, the Authority will support further studies on the topics raised in the discussion document and the additional topics suggested by respondents.

[25 February 2016]

We have obtained copies of submissions made regarding this process.

[18 December 2015]

The deadline for submissions has been extended to 22 January 2016.

[19 October 2015]

ICASA has released a much-anticipated Discussion Paper on the Draft Framework for Dynamic and Opportunistic Spectrum Management, inviting public feedback.

Discussion Paper on the Draft Framework for Dynamic and Opportunistic Spectrum Management 2015

ICASA Discussion Document on Dynamic and Opportunistic Spectrum Management

Submissions are due by 16:00 on 18 December 2015. Address responses to Mr. Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho at rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za.

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