The telecommunication sector may have seen a dip in employment numbers in 2021, but it generated more revenue than the broadcasting and postal sectors combined, according to a report by Icasa.
Government has abandoned its requirements for the licensing of wholesale open-access network, a policy created with the aim of improving access to broadband connectivity.
There's been progress in the reduction of excessive data prices, but further reductions require the release of spectrum, says Competition Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele.
Khulekani Magubane Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Picture: GCIS
Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams said her ministry remained open to mediation with the parties involved to find a common solution to the impasse.
The North Gauteng High Court ordered the Independent Communications Regulator of South Africa to halt the auction of spectrum licenses.
Icasa expressed confidence that the delayed auction would commence despite court action initiated by Telkom and e.tv.
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams urged companies in the long-delayed auction for spectrum to come to the mediation table after the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ordered a halt to the process.
iStock
The High Court in Pretoria on Monday ordered telecoms regulator the Independent Communications Regulator of South Africa (Icasa) to halt the auction of radio frequency spectrum licences pending a hearing of contentions raised by operator Telkom and broadcaster e.tv.
This will further delay the process which was expected to begin this month.
The ruling is a setback for top mobile operators MTN and Vodacom which are seeking to expand their 4G capacity and to roll out 5G technology.
As part of the court order, Icasa has been prohibited from assessing or making a final decision on any applications for the licensing of high-demand spectrum, court papers seen by Reuters show.