Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)ICASANotice regarding Final Radio Frequency Assignment Plans for the Frequency Band 1518 to 1525 MHz in terms of Regulation 3 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 20152. Purpose |
| 2.1 | The Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan (RFSAP) provides information of 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. This RFSAP states the requirements for the utilization of the frequency band between 1518 MHz and 1525 MHz for Fixed, Mobile, and Mobile-Satellite services.
| 2.2 | This follows the feasibility study concerning the 1518 - 1525 MHz band1, as mandated by the Frequency Band Migration Regulation and Plan contained in the IMT Roadmap 20142 and IMT Roadmap 20193. |
| 2.3 | This Authority decision is consistent with the ITU allocations for the 1518 - 1525 MHz band, as shown in Table 1. The whole band is allocated for Mobile, Fixed and Mobile-Satellite services on a primary basis within Region 1. |
| 2.4 | Table 3 (Appendix A) shows the National Frequency Plan for South Africa for the 1518 - 1525 MHz band. In the table, it is clearly stipulated that the band 1518 - 1559 MHz is identified for the satellite component of IMT, i.e., Resolution 2254 applies, for the IMT Satellite component and Single Frequency Links (1517 – 1525 MHz). The 2019 RFSAP5 also stated “the requirements for the utilisation of the frequency band between 1518 MHz and 1525 MHz for the IMT Satellite component and Single Frequency Links (1517 – 1525 MHz)”. The single frequency links are typically used in private and communal radio repeaters which boost and retransmit weak radio signals across a wider area. The satellite component of IMT provides users with quality telecommunication services primarily on a global coverage basis and is most economic outside those areas covered by the terrestrial component. |
| 2.5 | The 2019 RFSAP further stated, “the RFSAP seeks to ensure that there is no harmful interference to IMT Satellite Systems and to assign for single frequency links where there is no harmful interference to IMT Satellite services”. The 2019 RFSAP also stated that “this Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan supersedes any previous spectrum assignment arrangements for the same spectrum location”, and that a feasibility study needs to be conducted in order to implement the requirements of the existing RFSAP 2019. |
| 2.6 | The Authority has concluded on encouraging a mixed use of the band for Fixed, Mobile, and Mobile-Satellite services. The intention of this RFSAP is ensure both Fixed and Mobile usage of the band, whilst ensuring that there is no harmful interference to any future IMT Satellite Systems – and to assign for single frequency links (Fixed links) where there is no harmful interference to IMT Satellite services |
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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. |
| 2 | Final (Draft) IMT Roadmap 2014, Government Gazette Vol. 593 Pretoria, 14 November 2014 No. 38213 |
| 3 | Final (Draft) IMT Roadmap 2019, Government Gazette Vol. 645, 29 March 2019 No. 42361 |
| 4 | https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/oth/0c/0a/R0C0A00000C0034PDFE.pdf |
| 5 | Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan, Rules for Services operating in the Frequency Band 1518 MHz to 1525 MHz Government Gazette No. 42337 435, 29 March 2019 |