The National Radio Frequency Plan 201023 updated SATFA 200424 and extended the frequency range covered (now 9 kHz – 3000 GHz25). Its stated aim was to incorporate the decisions taken by WRC and include updates on the Table of Frequency Allocations extending up to 3000GHz. In 2013, the National Radio Frequency Plan 201326 was updated.
The fundamental objectives informing the National Radio Frequency Plan were to:
| ▪ |
To effect.... policy directives published in Government Gazette No. 30308 of 17 September 2007 which states that the Authority should take into account the results of WRC 2007 when revising the national radio frequency plan |
| ▪ |
To update the table with changes made by WRC 97, WRC 2000, WRC03, and WRC07 |
| ▪ |
To allocate spectrum that was previously not allocated by extending the range to cover 9 kHz to 3000 GHz in line with the Act and ITU-R |
| ▪ |
To make spectrum available for new radio interfaces such as WIMAX, which were included as the newest member of the IMT family of standards |
| ▪ |
To facilitate future identification of spectrum for very low power fixed links in the spectrum below 1 GHz in order to promote small medium and micro enterprises in the communications industry. |
| ▪ |
To facilitate developments of the frequency migration strategies and to facilitate migration of high capacity fixed links to higher frequency bands |
| ▪ |
To facilitate the development of a framework for usage of ISM frequency bands to support rural development objectives |
| ▪ |
To promote access to lower frequency bands for broadband wireless access to support rural development |
| ▪ |
To promote access to frequency bands below 1 GHz such as the 790 – 862 MHz band which offers both coverage and capacity to help bridge the "digital gap" between sparsely-populated and densely-populated areas and to increase universal service and access in the country. |
The following changes were implemented:
| ▪ |
Identification and allocation of spectrum for IMT - spectrum has been allocated in line with WRC 07 in the bands 790 - 862 MHz, 2300 – 2400 MHz, 2500 - 2690 MHz, 3400 - 3600 MHz, 1518 -1525 MHz and 1668-1675 MHz. Where there are existing services that need to be protected such provision has been made. |
| ▪ |
Allocation of spectrum for amateur radio - spectrum has been allocated in line with WRC 07 and previous WRCs in the bands 135.7 - 137.8 kHz, 2300 - 2450 on secondary basis. |
| ▪ |
Addition of a proposal to change DTH from secondary to primary status in the 10.7-11.7 GHz |
| ▪ |
National footnote NF 49 of SATFA 2004 has been replaced by national footnote NF 2 addressing the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007) |
| ▪ |
Updated ISM frequency bands in line with Government Gazette Number 31321 Notice No. 944 of 08 August 2008 |
| ▪ |
Updated the 5725 - 5850 MHz band in line with Government Gazette Number 31290 Notice No.926 of 29 July 2008. |
| ▪ |
Added allocations for inductive loop and RFID in line with Government Gazette Number 31290 Notice No. 926 of 29 July 2008 |
| ▪ |
Added new maritime, aeronautical allocations below 20 MHz and new satellite allocations above 70 GHz |
The Plan did not specify any migration activities, although the plan includes the WRC mandated allocation of the 800 MHz to IMT (digital dividend 2).
____________________________________________
| 23 |
The National Radio Frequency Plan – Notice 727 of 2010. |
| 24 |
The main reason for the name change is that the term National Radio Frequency Plan is used in the ECA. |
| 25 |
Although 1000 – 3000 GHz is not allocated. |
| 26 |
National Radio Frequency Plan 2013, Government Gazette 36336 (354 of 2013) |
Gas Regulator Levies Act, 2002
