[30 May 2025]
Good news! You now have more time to submit. The deadline has been extended to 4:00 PM on Friday, June 13, 2025.
[6 April 2025]
For public consideration, ICASA has published the draft of the National Radio Frequency Plan 2025.
Draft National Radio Frequency Plan 2025
Submissions are due by 16h00 on Friday, 30 May 2025. These can be sent to Mr Davis Moshweunyane per email: dmoshweunyane@icasa.org.za.
[29 March 2022]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has completed the 2021 National Radio Frequency Plan.
National Radio Frequency Plan 2021
[9 July 2021]
Draft National Radio Frequency Plan 2021 for Public Consultation
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is proposing updates to the National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP). They’ve released a draft with highlighted changes linked to decisions made at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) for your review.
- Submit written comments:
- Deadline: Friday, August 27th, 2021 by 4:00 PM.
- Attend public hearings: Dates are set for September 7th to 9th, 2021.
The draft NRFP 2021 is a detailed document, but ICASA has made it easier to understand by highlighting the proposed changes and how they relate to WRC-19 decisions.
[4 April 2021]
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has asked Parliament to approve changes agreed upon at a major international conference (World Radiocommunication Conference 2019). These changes affect an international agreement (International Telecommunication Union) that South Africa is part of and require approval from Parliament and the Cabinet.
Once approved, the government agency (ICASA) responsible for managing radio frequencies will update its plan (National Radio Frequency Plan) to reflect the new international agreements. This plan essentially acts as a map, designating which uses are allowed for different radio wave bands. Finally, the updated plan will need ministerial approval.
DCDT Presentation on Ratification of WRC-19 Final Acts 10 March 2021
Media Statement Communications Committee to Consider Ratification of WRC-19 Strategic Outcomes
Following every World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which typically happens every 4-5 years, South Africa reviews its frequency allocation plan. This ensures our spectrum usage aligns with neighboring countries and global standards.
[28 May 2018]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published its National Radio Frequency Plan for 2018.
[10 June 2017]
The Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services announced Cabinet approval of the updated National Radio Frequency Plan. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is expected to publish it officially soon.
[8 February 2017]
In February 2017, ICASA issued a media release and finalized a schedule for oral presentations, which will be held at their head office on February 9th and 10th.
Final schedule of oral presentations
[7 February 2017]
This document details the feedback received on ICASA’s proposed update to the National Radio Frequency Plan 2017. Additionally, you can find the final schedule for presentations on the plan here.
- Environmental Affairs
- Huawei
- MNET & Orbicom
- Motorola
- MTN
- National Association of Broadcasters
- REHO Communications
- SABC
- Southern African Communications Industries Association
- SAMSA
- South African Radio League
- Sennheiser
- Sentech
- Square Kilometre Array SA
- Telkom
- WECODEC
- Wireless Access Providers’ Association
[6 February 2017]
The public hearings have been scheduled for 9-10 February 2017:
Link to schedule of oral presentations
[23 January 2017]
The closing date for written representations has been extended to 4:00 pm on Friday, 3 February 2017. Public hearings are provisionally scheduled for 9 and 10 February 2017.
[9 December 2016]
To ensure South Africa’s National Radio Frequency Plan reflects the most recent international standards, ICASA has released a draft update for public comment. This revision aligns the plan with the resolutions adopted at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015.
Draft National Radio Frequency Plan 2017
- Written comments are due by 4:00 pm on Friday, January 27th, 2017.
- Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for February 2nd and 3rd, 2017.
- Submit your comments and ask questions by email to Mr. Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho at rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za.
Process completed: National Radio Frequency Plan 2013
[1 March 2013]
The comments below were submitted in response to ICASA’s call for feedback on the draft update to the National Radio Frequency Plan. It’s important to consider these comments alongside the draft Frequency Migration Plan.
[6 February 2013]
Submission deadline has been extended to 15 February 2013.
[28 December 2012]
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) released a draft update to the National Radio Frequency Plan for 2012 (NRFP) for public comment on December 24, 2012. The deadline to submit feedback is February 8, 2013, at 4:00 pm.
Draft Update National Radio Frequency Plan 2012
ICASA explained in a separate announcement that the review aims to achieve three things:
- Updating the NRFP to match the decisions made at the World Radio Conference 2012 (WRC-12).
- Aligning the NRFP with the newest International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations.
- Ensuring consistency between the NRFP and the Southern African Development Community Frequency Allocation Plan (SADC FAP).
“This process is, among others, aimed at reviewing the existing NRFP to ensure that spectrum allocations reflect the usage of the radio frequency spectrum until the next WRC in 2015. The review will also be carried out parallel with the Frequency Migration Plan (FMP) process which is aimed at addressing the frequency migrations identified during the evolution of the earlier national radio frequency plans starting with SABRE 1 of 1997 through to the requirements, following the ITU’s World Radio Conferences including the WRC 12.
In addition, the Authority will, on Monday 24 December 2012, publish second Draft Frequency Migration Plan which has taken into consideration the comments made in the initial submissions, public hearings and supplementary submissions. It also includes the framework for the development of the ‘Spectrum Assignment Plan’ on the implementation of specific bands earmarked for migration and those identified in the future National Radio Frequency Plan.”