[18 March 2024]
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has announced the formation of the National Preparatory Working Group (NPWG) to begin preparations for South Africa’s involvement in the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference, set for 2027 (WRC-27).
[3 April 2020]
You can access the final acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) at the following link:
[3 April 2016]
The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has announced that the 41-member South African delegation to WRC 2015 “played a significant role in securing major outcomes for spectrum management, which will be incorporated into national regulatory frameworks over the next 12 months.”
Outcomes of WRC-2015 in Geneva, Switzerland
Key outcomes reported by the Department include:
- Allocation of 91 MHz in the 1427–1518 MHz range for internationally harmonized International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
- Additional IMT identification for the 694/698-790 MHz (700 MHz) frequency band in ITU Region-1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia).
- WRC-15 reached a compromise to protect the 470–694 MHz band for broadcasters in ITU Region 1 (Africa, the Middle East, and Europe), while permitting some countries outside this region to use part of the 470–698 MHz band for IMT.
- Adoption of a “No Change” position (no allocation to IMT) for the 3600-4200 MHz band, and a decision not to consider IMT systems in the C-band uplink frequencies (5925-6425 MHz).
- Establishment of a single globally harmonized frequency range—694–894 MHz—for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (public safety communications).
- Global allocation for short-range, high-resolution automotive radar in the 79 GHz frequency band.
- Extension of the allocation for the earth exploration satellite service in the 9 GHz band to enable higher resolution satellite imagery.
- Agreement to include a new agenda item for WRC-19 to explore additional IMT identifications above 24 GHz to support emerging 5G technologies.
Next steps:
Focus will shift to the 2019 WRC agenda as the Department, Regulator, and industry assess the national implications and necessary studies for effective preparation.
ICASA will incorporate WRC-15 outcomes directly affecting South Africa into national regulatory frameworks, in preparation for the implementation of the latest ITU Radio Regulations on January 1, 2017.
The Department will initiate the National Preparatory Working Group (NPWG) to start preparations for WRC-19.
[24 July 2015]
The World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 is scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 2 to 27, 2015. These conferences take place every three to four years and are responsible for reviewing and potentially revising the Radio Regulations, which are the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
The South African National Preparatory Working Group (NPWG), organized by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, is tasked with preparing South Africa’s positions on the various agenda items for the WRC 2015. PowerPoint presentations detailing the current status of these positions can be found at http://www.dtps.gov.za/documents-publications/sa-2nd-npwg-wrc.html.
One of the most relevant issues to be discussed is Agenda Item 1.1:
to consider additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and related regulatory provisions, to facilitate the development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications, in accordance with Resolution 233 (WRC-12)
Roadmap for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in South Africa
Spectrum Assignment Plan for IMT Bands
The NPWG working document includes the following table concerning spectrum availability in South Africa:
| Spectrum identified for IMT | Spectrum assigned | Maximum available for assignment | To be assigned | |
| Below 1 GHz | 286 MHz | 76 MHz | 186 MHz | 110 MHz |
| Above 1 GHz | 895 MHz | 553 MHz | 765 MHz | 212 MHz |
| Total | 1181 MHz | 629 MHz | 951 MHz | 322 MHz |