The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at significantly increasing the country’s supply of high-demand radio frequency spectrum, with plans to expand available broadband spectrum by approximately 215% over the next decade.
The regulator has published its International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Roadmap 2026, together with a series of draft implementation documents, for public consultation.
According to ICASA, the roadmap represents a major milestone in South Africa’s efforts to strengthen broadband connectivity while laying the foundation for next-generation mobile technologies.
Designed to guide spectrum planning over the next five to ten years, the roadmap provides a long-term framework for the allocation, management, and assignment of radio frequency spectrum required to support both existing 5G services and the future rollout of IMT-2030 (6G) technologies.
“Our primary objective is to ensure the efficient use of radio frequency spectrum while expanding access to broadband services,” ICASA said.
The authority added that it also aims to foster a competitive telecommunications sector capable of driving economic growth and advancing universal digital connectivity.
As part of its strategic objectives, ICASA plans to increase the amount of broadband spectrum available for assignment from the current 850 MHz to 18,588 MHz by 2030, significantly expanding capacity to meet rising demand for mobile broadband services.
A central element of the roadmap is the planned release of additional IMT frequency bands identified under the 2024 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations. ICASA believes these spectrum resources will be critical to supporting future mobile broadband growth and achieving South Africa’s goal of delivering broadband access to all citizens.
To support implementation of the roadmap, the regulator has also released several draft documents for stakeholder feedback, including:
- Draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs) for various IMT frequency bands.
- Feasibility studies covering the identified IMT spectrum bands.
- Draft Exclusive Geographic Areas for millimetre-wave IMT spectrum in the 24.25–27.5 GHz, 37.5–43.5 GHz, 45.5–47 GHz, and 47.2–48.2 GHz frequency ranges.
ICASA noted that the final Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans will provide the framework for future Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for spectrum licences under South Africa’s Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations.
While the regulator has outlined the spectrum bands it intends to make available, it has not yet confirmed whether these frequencies will be assigned through a competitive auction process similar to the high-demand spectrum auction conducted in 2022, which generated billions of rands in licence fees.
