In a bid to enable future planning on the allocation of frequencies to radio communications, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has published a draft radio frequency migration plan (FMP) and invites input from the public.

In a statement, ICASA spokesperson Paseka Maleka said the authority has initiated a project to ultimately develop a national FMP.

The process, says ICASA, is aimed at addressing frequency migration of radio communications services identified since the first revision of the South African frequency allocation plans (band plans) and migration strategies published in the Government Gazette (notice 759 of 1997).

“The purpose of this process is to align all frequency migrations identified during the evolution of the frequency plans and latest version of national radio frequency plan developed, based on the final acts of the latest World Radio Conference of 2012. This will enable future planning on the allocation of frequencies to radio communications.”

Maleka says it is necessary to note that, although the principle of technological neutrality is followed as far as possible, in some bands it may be necessary to specify a uniform technology to ensure spectrum efficiency. “This may require migration of users using different technologies to a different spectrum location.”

According to ICASA, the development of a national FMP will inform the overall process, including principles of implementation of frequency migration, identification of specific frequency bands where migration and re-farming will be applied – and the migration of specific frequency bands through specific migration programmes.

ICASA has invited feedback on its draft FMP regulations.

“ICASA invites representations from all interested stakeholders on the draft frequency migration regulations and radio frequency migration plan. Stakeholders have until 28 September 2012 to make their written submissions.”