Draft Regulations for Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) in South Africa
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published draft regulations regarding Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Opportunistic Spectrum Management. This initiative, focusing on the "Innovation Spectrum," aims to enable unused spectrum to be assigned on a secondary basis without interfering with primary license holders.
Proposed Regulatory Changes
The draft regulations establish a framework for the secondary use of specific frequency bands through a geo-location database mechanism known as the Unified Spectrum Switch (USS). Key components include the following:
Authorization Process: Establishing procedures for electronic communications equipment to access radio frequency spectrum in the 3800–4200 MHz and 5925–6425 MHz sub-bands.
Device Categorization: Introduction of "Innovation Spectrum Devices" (ISD), classified into Master devices and Client devices.
Automated Management: Requirement for devices to communicate with a USS to receive operational parameters, such as permitted channels and transmit power, based on their geographic location.
Licensing Framework: Implementation of a three-year validity period for Innovation Spectrum licenses, with specific requirements for network operators to register with the USS.
Impact on Manufacturers and Stakeholders
Manufacturers and type approval applicants should note the following requirements for devices intended for these bands:
Technical Compliance: Devices must be frequency-agile and capable of transmitting/receiving within the defined Innovation Spectrum Frequency Ranges (ISFR 1 and ISFR 2).
Mandatory Type Approval: All ISDs must be type-approved or authorized by ICASA and must appear in the Authority’s Equipment Authorization Register (EAR).
Communication Protocols: Master devices, IS-CPE Category 2 devices, and Database Proxies must comply with the "Communication Protocol to Access Unified Spectrum Switch" (CPAUSS).
Labeling Requirements: ISDs must display a label that adheres to the Equipment Authorization Regulations of 2022.
Operational Constraints: Devices must be capable of ceasing transmission within 60 seconds of receiving an instruction from the USS or if they fail to contact the USS within specified timeframes (e.g., 168 hours for Master devices).
Affected Radio Bands and Technical Parameters
The regulations impact the following frequency ranges, collectively referred to as the "Innovation Spectrum":
ISFR 1 (3800 – 4200 MHz): Permitted channel widths of 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 30 MHz, and 40 MHz.
ISFR 2 (5925 – 6425 MHz): Permitted channel widths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz.
Power Limits: The maximum permitted EIRP is strictly defined based on deployment area (urban vs. rural) and device placement (outdoor vs. indoor). For example, ISFR 1 urban outdoor master devices are limited to 27 dBm/20 MHz EIRP.
Antenna Requirements: Specific default antenna heights are set (e.g., 20 m for master devices and 1.5 m for end-user equipment) unless alternative data is provided to the USS.
Submission of feedback ended on Friday, 30 May 2025.
