| 2.1 | A Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan (RFSAP) provides information on the requirements attached to the use of a frequency band in line with the allocation and other information in the National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP). This information includes technical characteristics of radio systems, frequency channelling, coordination, and details on the required migration of existing users of the band and the expected method of assignment. |
| 2.2 | As per Appendix A and in line with footnote 5.212 in the ITU Radio Regulations from WRC-19, the frequency band 138 - 144 MHz is allocated to the fixed and mobile services on a primary basis. |
| 2.3 | The feasibility study consultation concerning the 138 - 144 MHz band1 was carried out, as mandated by the Radio Frequency Migration Regulations and Radio Frequency Migration Plan, published in Gazette Number 36334 (Notice No. 352 of 2013) 2. The intention of the 2018 RFSAP3 was to: |
| 2.3.1 | Maintain the Mobile 1 MTX 138 - 140.5 MHz band paired with BTX 141.5 - 144 MHz; |
| 2.3.2 | Maintain SF Alarms in the 140.5 - 141 MHz band and allocate 141 - 141.5 MHz to Single Frequency (SF) Alarms; |
| 2.3.3 | Migrate out SF Mobile from the 141 - 141.5 MHz band. |
| 2.4 | Therefore, the Authority, in the 2021 feasibility study4, proposed and confirmed the following uses of the 138 MHz – 144 MHz band: |
| 2.4.1 | “Single frequency (‘SF’) alarms (such as those that warn people of an event such as intrusion or fire), as explained in the 2018 RFSAP (Government Gazette Number 41512, Notice 146 of 20185) for this band. |
| 2.4.2 | SF and dual frequency links used in private and communal radio repeaters, which boost and retransmit weak radio signals (explained in the 2018 RFSAP). The 2019 IMT Roadmap (Radio Frequency Migration Plan 20196) documented that these repeaters are used for mining, farming and by other small businesses. |
| 2.4.3 | Remote control industrial apparatus (explained in the 2018 RFSAP 7)”. |
| 2.5 | Only systems using digital technologies which have higher spectral efficiency compared to the analogue systems will be issued with a licence for this band. |
| 2.6 | UHF repeaters operated by Eskom in the SKA area using 407/417 MHz would move into the 138-144 MHz frequency band. |
| 2.7 | Stakeholders are requested to provide any further information in this context to the Authority to assist in this matter relating to the migration. |
| 2.8 | This Frequency Assignment Plan states the requirements for the utilisation of the frequency band between 138 MHz and 144 MHz in South Africa. |
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| 1 | Implementation of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan and the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap for public consultation, Government Gazette No. 45690, 24 December 2021. |
| 3 | The Final Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan published in Government Gazette Number 41512 |
| 5 | The Final Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan published in Government Gazette Number 41512. |
| 6 | Final Radio Frequency Migration Plan 2019, Government Gazette Number. 42337, 29 March 2019. |
| 7 | “Encourage remote controlled industrial apparatus to migrate out of the 141 - 142 MHz band into a band dedicated for ISM”. |
