South Africa NRFP 2026: New ICASA Spectrum Plan
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
ICASA Gazettes South Africa's National Radio Frequency Plan 2026
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has gazetted the National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 (NRFP-2026), the country's updated master framework for allocating and managing radio frequency spectrum. The plan was gazetted on 24 July 2026 under section 34 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005), following the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies' approval on 2 July 2026 under section 34(11) of the Act.
NRFP 2026 replaces the 2021 edition, which was based on the outcomes of WRC-19 and the 2020 ITU Radio Regulations. It covers frequencies from 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz, confirms that South Africa continues to follow ITU Region 1 allocations, and aligns the national table with the 2024 edition of the ITU Radio Regulations (published August 2024, in force 1 January 2025), which incorporate the decisions of WRC-23. The plan also reflects the African Telecommunications Union Spectrum Assignment Plan (AfriSAP) and the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan, together with revised South African national footnotes.
The final plan followed a public consultation that opened on 4 April 2025 and public hearings held on 15–16 January 2026.
Regulatory Context
The NRFP is South Africa's spectrum "blueprint" it defines how each band may be used, the services it supports and the conditions attached. It is reviewed roughly every four years to track each World Radiocommunication Conference and keep national allocations consistent with global and regional plans.
A point that is easy to miss, and important for equipment stakeholders: the NRFP is an allocation and identification instrument, not a licensing or type approval instrument. Several of the headline bands in NRFP 2026 are identified for a use rather than opened for immediate deployment. ICASA has signalled that spectrum migration, Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs), feasibility studies and Invitations to Apply (ITAs) will follow before much of this spectrum can actually be assigned or licensed.
What South Africa NRFP 2026 Actually Changes
The most commercially significant developments in the plan were not always foregrounded in early summaries:
Upper 6 GHz for IMT. NRFP 2026 designates the upper 6 GHz range (6425–7125 MHz) for International Mobile Telecommunications, reported as the first time South Africa has formally identified this band for IMT. ICASA has indicated a feasibility study and a corresponding assignment framework will follow before licensing.
Lower 6 GHz Wi-Fi. The lower 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz), already opened for licence exempt Wi-Fi use in 2023, is now incorporated into the national framework, expanding licence exempt spectrum for connectivity in rural and underserved areas.
HIBS. The plan introduces provisions for High Altitude Platform Stations operating as IMT base stations (HIBS) across several ranges, referencing WRC-23 outcomes.
Electronic Frequency Information System (EFIS). ICASA announced an online portal to provide digital access to NRFP-2026, expected to launch shortly after gazettal.
What This Means for Manufacturers
For manufacturers, importers, certification bodies and test labs, NRFP-2026 matters most as a signal of where South Africa's spectrum is heading not as an immediate change to device authorisation obligations.
Type approval is unchanged by this instrument. ICASA equipment type approval continues to be governed by the Type Approval / Equipment Authorisation Regulations. NRFP-2026 does not, by itself, create new type-approval requirements or new device standards. It changes the underlying allocation picture that those approvals sit on top of.
Band planning gets clearer. Manufacturers planning IMT/5G and future 6G radios can now point to a national allocation for the upper 6 GHz band, and RF planners can align roadmaps with the 2024 ITU Radio Regulations table.
Licence exempt product lines benefit. Confirmation of 5925–6425 MHz for licence exempt Wi-Fi in the national framework supports Wi-Fi 6E/7 device planning for the South African market.
Watch the follow on instruments. The real go to market triggers assignment plans, feasibility studies and ITAs are still to come. Deployment (and any band-specific device conditions) depends on those, not on the NRFP alone.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Impact of NRFP-2026 | Action for equipment stakeholders |
ICASA type approval requirement | No direct change; still governed by Type Approval / Equipment Authorisation Regulations | Continue existing type approval process; monitor for band specific conditions |
Frequency allocation table | Updated to ITU RR Edition 2024 / WRC-23; 8.3 kHz–3000 GHz; ITU Region 1 | Re check that product operating bands map to current national allocations |
Upper 6 GHz (6425–7125 MHz) | Identified for IMT (subject to feasibility study & assignment framework) | Plan IMT roadmaps; do not assume immediate licensing |
Lower 6 GHz (5925–6425 MHz) | Licence-exempt Wi-Fi, now in national framework | Align Wi-Fi 6E/7 product planning for the SA market |
HIBS | New provisions per WRC-23 | Relevant to non-terrestrial / HAPS product lines |
Existing spectrum licences | Reported to remain valid until expiry, amendment or revocation | Confirm against gazetted plan text before relying on it |
Timeline and Required Actions
Date | Event | What it means |
4 April 2025 | Public consultation on first draft opened | Consultation phase (closed) |
15–16 January 2026 | Public hearings held | Stakeholder input finalised |
2 July 2026 | Minister approves NRFP-2026 (s.34(11)) | Approval secured |
24 July 2026 | NRFP-2026 gazetted by ICASA | Plan is the operative allocation framework |
Shortly after gazettal | EFIS portal launch | Digital access to NRFP-2026 |
To be determined | Feasibility study, RFSAPs, ITAs (esp. upper 6 GHz) | Licensing/assignment triggers still ahead |
Recommended actions now:
(1) Map your product's operating bands against the NRFP-2026 allocation table
(2) confirm ICASA type approval status is current and unaffected
(3) track ICASA's upcoming assignment plans, feasibility studies and ITAs for bands relevant to your roadmap
(4) verify any reliance on the "existing licences remain valid" transitional wording against the gazetted plan
