Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)ICASANotice regarding Final Radio Frequency Assignment Plans for the Frequency Band 410 to 430 MHz in terms of Regulation 3 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 20152. Purpose |
| 2.1 | This 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 required migration of existing users of the band and the expected method of assignment. |
| 2.2 | The Authority proposed in the RFMP 20131 and 2019 Radio Frequency Migration Plan2 exclusive allocation for trunking services. However, in light of emerging trends in this band, the Authority proposed in the feasibility study concerning this band3 to make this band available for other potential emerging applications such as broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR), Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR), Public Mobile Radio (PMR) and Internet of Things (IoT), in addition to digital public trunking. The Authority also proposed that all other services migrate out of the band. |
| 2.3 | This RFSAP states the requirements for the utilization of the frequency band between 410 MHz and 430 MHz for potential emerging applications such as broadband PPDR and IoT, in addition to digital public trunking services. |
| 2.4 | The Authority’s decision is consistent with the ITU allocations for the 410 MHz to 430 MHz band. The 410 MHz to 420 MHz band is allocated to FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile) and SPACE RESEARCH (space-to-space) services. The 420 MHz to 430 MHz band is allocated to FIXED and MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile) services on a primary basis within Region 1. In addition, footnote 5.268 in the National Frequency Plan for South Africa notes that the use of the frequency band 410 – 420 MHz by the space research service is limited to space-to-space communication links with an orbiting, manned space vehicle. In this frequency band, stations of the space research service (space-to-space) shall not claim protection from, nor constrain the use and development of, stations of the fixed and mobile services. The Authority has concluded that this band will be made available for other potential emerging applications such as broadband PPDR (BB-PPDR), PAMR, PMR and IoT, in addition to digital public trunking. |
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| 1 | Frequency Migration regulation and Radio Frequency Migration Plan March 2013, Government Gazette No 36334, 3 April 2013 |
| 2 | Government Gazette No 42337, 29 March 2019. https://www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/final-radio-frequency-migration-plan-2019.pdf |
| 3 | Implementation of the Radio Frequency Migration Plan and the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap for public consultation, Government Gazette No. 45690, 24 December 2021. |