South Africa High Demand Spectrum Policy: WOAN Ends
South Africa High Demand Spectrum Policy: DCDT Withdraws the WOAN Reservation and Frees Bands for ICASA
The South Africa high demand spectrum policy no longer sets spectrum aside for a wireless open access network. Notice 4163 of 2026, signed by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi on 14 September 2026 and published in Government Gazette No. 55438 on 25 September 2026, withdraws the WOAN reservation with immediate effect. The affected spectrum, in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, is now available for licensing by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
Background: the WOAN that never launched
In July 2019 the then department published the Policy on High Demand Spectrum and Policy Direction on the Licensing of a Wireless Open Access Network (Government Notice No. 1013, Gazette No. 42597). The idea was a wholesale network that other licensees would buy capacity from, and part of the high demand spectrum was reserved for it.
The WOAN was never licensed. A draft amendment to withdraw the reservation went out for comment in March 2022 (General Notice 1853, Gazette No. 46031), but the process was never completed. Meanwhile the 2021 spectrum auction had included a licence condition for successful bidders to buy at least 30% of national capacity from the WOAN once it was running. The new notice says the withdrawal leaves those conditions "without practical object".
Key Changes in the South Africa High Demand Spectrum Policy
The reservation is withdrawn
The reservation of high demand spectrum for a WOAN, which includes spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, ends. The notice says that spectrum is available for licensing by ICASA with immediate effect.
The WOAN policy direction is gone
Paragraph 3 of the 2019 Policy, which told ICASA to license a WOAN, is deleted in full, and the document is renamed the "Policy on High Demand Spectrum".
Wholesale obligations stay
When ICASA licenses this spectrum it must still secure the leasing of networks and facilities and the provision of wholesale capacity to other licensees, with strict regulatory oversight. Other objectives are reworded so that high demand spectrum is licensed to realise its socio-economic value and to promote competition.
The SDIC set-aside is untouched
The separate requirement in the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development, 2024 (clause 24.3) for ICASA to set spectrum aside for the State Digital Infrastructure Company still applies.
How, when and to whom the spectrum is licensed is for ICASA to decide under sections 30 and 31 of the Electronic Communications Act.
What This Means for Manufacturers
This is a spectrum policy decision for operators, not an equipment rule. ICASA's type approval requirements, standards and labelling don't change. The practical effect for device makers comes later, as ICASA licenses the freed spectrum and operators use it.
Phones, routers, FWA terminals and IoT devices sold in South Africa will get more value from support for the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands as operators add capacity there.
The notice describes 3500 MHz as the primary global band for 5G, suited to fixed wireless access, smart-city and industrial uses.
Each product still needs ICASA type approval covering the bands and technologies it actually uses.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before | After | Impact level |
WOAN spectrum reservation | In place since 2019 | Withdrawn on 25 September 2026 | Medium |
Licensing of affected bands | Held back for a WOAN | Available for ICASA to license | Medium |
Wholesale and leasing objectives | In the 2019 Policy | Kept, with strict ICASA oversight | Low |
SDIC spectrum set-aside | Under the 2024 spectrum policy | Unchanged | Low |
ICASA type approval | Current rules | Unchanged | Low |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
26 July 2019 | Policy on High Demand Spectrum and WOAN policy direction published |
11 March 2022 | Draft amendment to withdraw the reservation published for comment |
14 September 2026 | Notice 4163 of 2026 signed |
25 September 2026 | Notice published in Gazette No. 55438 and in force |
To be confirmed | ICASA licensing process for the freed spectrum |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
Check which of the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands your South African products support.
Make sure existing ICASA type approvals cover every band and technology the product uses.
Plan new approvals for products that add these bands.
Watch for ICASA's licensing announcements for the freed spectrum.
Conclusion
The South Africa high demand spectrum policy change ends a seven-year hold on spectrum that was never used. It doesn't touch type approval, but it should bring more mobile capacity in four key bands once ICASA licenses it. Contact our team for support with ICASA type approval for your wireless products.
