ICASA Releases Draft Radio Frequency Plan 2025 for Public Consultation

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published the Draft National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) 2025 for public consultation. This plan outlines the allocation of radio communication services within the frequency range of 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz to ensure the efficient and effective use of the radio frequency spectrum and orbital resources.

All Radiocommunications Services and Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignments in the Republic of South Africa must be in line with the National Radio Frequency Plan in force and on a Technology Neutral basis.

The draft update and amendment of the NRFP incorporates the decisions taken by the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) contained in the Final Acts of WRC 23, including the Minutes of WRC Plenary. The amendment and update of the Draft NRFP further incorporates the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) Radio Regulations Edition 2024, in the main, the relevant frequency allocations in the ITU Region 1 and its associated footnotes. The Radio Regulations ensure that the use of the radio-frequency spectrum is rational, equitable, efficient, and economical, all while aiming to prevent harmful interference between different radiocommunication services.

The Draft NRFP incorporates the agreement reached on the updates to the Radio Regulations identified new spectrum resources to support technological innovation, deepen global connectivity, increase access to and equitable use of space-based radio resources, and enhance safety at sea, in the air, and on land.

The Draft NRFP is also consistent with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Frequency Allocation Plan (FAP) as well as the African Spectrum Allocation Plan thus ensuring that there is Regional Harmonisation with the resultant benefits on economies of scale, leading to Maturity of systems of the Radiocommunications that are affordable.

Harmonisation of radio frequency spectrum for the region as well as across the world is such an important aspect to ensure that South Africa enjoys the benefits of the economies of scale and to warrant that the introduction of new technologies benefit the citizens.

– Mothibi Ramusi, Chairperson, ICASA

Given South Africa’s geographic spread, wireless solutions remain the most effective means of expanding broadband access. As a result, mobile broadband services continue to be a priority. ICASA is updating its Long-Term IMT Roadmap toward 2030 to incorporate International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) updates from 2014 and 2019.

The Draft NRFP has incorporated additional globally harmonized frequency bands in the Low, Mid and High identified for IMT‑2030 leading to the future deployment of the Sixth Generation of Networks (6G), facilitating diverse usage scenarios for connecting the unconnected, Ubiquitous Intelligence, sustainability, Security and resilience that includes current capabilities such as enhanced mobile broadband services, massive machine-type communications and ultrareliable and low-latency communications.

Further, the draft includes the protection accorded to the Earth exploration satellite service (EESS) as well as meteorological and other passive services in adjacent bands, such as the space research service (SRS) to ensure that space-based monitoring of the Earth and its atmosphere remain unhindered.

The draft also incorporates the Satellite services supporting meteorology and climatology that aim to safeguard human life and natural resources. To enhance affordable connectivity, the plan includes frequencies for Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs), allowing seamless internet access on airplanes, ships, and trains. It also designates new frequencies for non-geostationary fixed-satellite service ESIMs, which enable high-speed broadband for mobile platforms and disaster recovery efforts when local communication infrastructure is compromised.

Aligned with National imperatives, the draft National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) aims to deliver socio-economic benefits to citizens, foster the development of new industries, and create new job opportunities. Most importantly, it seeks to stimulate economic growth across the entire country, not just in urban areas, but also in underserved and underprivileged areas. The time is now for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to benefit from these initiatives.

– Mothibi Ramusi, Chairperson, ICASA

The Draft NRFP can be downloaded from the Authority’s website on the URL: https://www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/draft-radio-frequency-plan-2025-nrfp 

The Authority invites interested stakeholders to submit written representations highlighting their views on the Draft NRFP 2025 by no later than 16h00 on Friday, 30 May 2025