Communications: Comment sought on spectrum assignment plan

The overarching objective of a draft radio frequency spectrum assignment plan published on Friday for comment is to provide for a ‘phased approach’ to using single frequency networks when SA finally migrates from analogue to digital terrestrial television. This will ‘enable the immediate availability of the band 470 to 694 MHz at the time of analogue switch-off’, reports Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch.  Key features of the proposed new plan (Notice 636, page 133 of National Government Gazette 42887) include measures to ensure the ‘compatibility of services within international mobile telecommunications and fixed broadcast networks’; and the ‘most efficient use’ of spectrum when combining single frequency networks with ‘second generation terrestrial’ digital video broadcasting technology. Stakeholders have until 31 January to make written submissions.