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Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)

ICASA

Notice regarding Final Radio Frequency Assignment Plans for the IMT750 Band in terms of Regulation 3 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015

5. Requirements for the usage of the radio frequency spectrum

 

5.1 This chapter covers the minimum key characteristics considered necessary in order to make the best use of the available frequencies.

 

5.2 The use of the IMT750 band is limited to IMT services.

 

5.3 Only systems using digital technologies that promote spectral efficiency will be issued with an assignment. Capacity-enhancing digital techniques are being rapidly developed together with techniques that promote efficient spectrum use without reducing service quality. These techniques are encouraged.

 

5.4 In some cases, a radio system conforming to the requirements of this RFSAP may require modifications if harmful interference is caused to other radio stations or systems.

 

5.5 The allocation of spectrum and shared services within these bands are found in the National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) and an extract of the NRFP is shown in Appendix A.

 

5.6 Maximum radiated power:
5.6.1 The European Commission published its final Decision (EU) 2016/687 on the harmonisation of the 694 - 790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services and for flexible national use in the Union (the ‘700 MHz Commission Decision’)3 in April 2016. Given that 738 - 758 MHz is a guard band within the 700 MHz band which is already subject to an award, the Authority would award 738 - 758 MHz band in line with the European Commission decision in the future;
5.6.2 . The Authority places an in-block base station power limit of 64 dBm/ (5 MHz).
5.6.3. The limits (i.e., 64 dBm/5 MHz), is in line with the 700 MHz Commission Decision, which does not set a mandatory in-block downlink power limit.
5.6.4 The Authority is of the view that this limit would provide adequate protection for adjacent DTT services.
5.6.5 Mobile Station transmissions should not exceed 23 dBm EIRP;
5.6.6 On a case-to-case basis, higher EIRP may be permitted if acceptable technical justification is provided; and
5.6.7 Where appropriate, subscriber terminal stations should comply with the technical specification outlined under the latest version of 3GPP specifications, e.g., TS 36.521-1 for LTE, 38.521-1 for 5G New Radio (NR).

 

5.7 Total Radiated Power (TRP) limit for AAS base stations is to be used as the measure of the power limit in South Africa, in order to ensure quality of service in South Africa in line with global industry development.

 

5.8 The Authority has decided that TRP is not applicable to the frequency bands below 1 GHz.

 

5.9 ICNIRP Guideline compliance is required, where applicable.

 

5.10 Criteria and guidelines for interference mitigation are described in Appendix D.

 

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3 “Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/687 of 28 April 2016 on the harmonisation of the 694 -790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services and for flexible national use in the Union”, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2016.118.01.0004.01.ENG