Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says further delays to the much-awaited auction of the spectrum will likely have a negative impact on consumers.
The long wait for spectrum has persisted for several years and the planned auction in March is facing obstacles, due to recent multiple court applications brought by Vodacom’s competitors, MTN and Telkom, and broadcaster Etv.
The spectrum auction, pencilled in for March, has been put under the spotlight in recent weeks amid growing opposition to the process from some sections of the industry.
Shameel says: “Participating in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s high-demand spectrum auction is a key strategic priority for the group in the quarter ahead. We see the assignment of spectrum as instrumental in extending coverage, improving quality of service and lowering the cost to communicate in South Africa.”
In December 2020, Vodacom was among the six telecommunication companies that submitted applications and were shortlisted by the regulator.
“We welcome progress on spectrum assignment, seeing it as instrumental in extending coverage, improving quality of service and lowering the cost to communicate in our largest market,” says Joosub.
MTN, Telkom and Etv are all in court challenging some aspects of the process being managed by the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).