Government of South Africa Adopts Harmonised Channel Plans for Digital Dividend Spectrum

LONDON. - Tuesday, April 7th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Following the publication of the South African Government’s Final Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans1, Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA, commented:

“The GSMA congratulates the Government of South Africa on its decision to adopt the harmonised spectrum channel plans for the use of the 700MHz and 800MHz bands, also known as the ‘Digital Dividend’2, for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).

“Complementing its earlier decision to harmonise the 800MHz band, the alignment of the 700MHz band with the lower portion of the globally harmonised Asia Pacific channel plan3 will allow South Africa to maximise the benefits of this spectrum for all of its citizens. Harmonisation of the Digital Dividend will offer significant economies of scale for handset manufacturers, driving more affordable mobile devices for consumers.

“Spectrum harmonisation and the timely release of Digital Dividend spectrum to mobile are critical to meeting African governments’ objectives of offering mobile coverage to all citizens, especially in rural areas. With access to adequate spectrum, the continent’s mobile industry is well placed to help foster digital inclusion and support future economic growth. Encouraged by South Africa’s decision, we strongly urge other countries in the region to follow its example.”

Notes to Editors

1 Notices 271 and 273 of Government Gazette 38640, dated 30 March 2015.

2 The spectrum made available following the switch-over from analogue to digital terrestrial television.

3 Specifically the lower duplexer of the APT 700MHz band.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

Contacts

Media

For the GSMA

David Maila (South Africa)

+27 72 015 4702

dmaila@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

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