Cran to review frequency band plan

This is based on new regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).Nghikembua was speaking during a public consultative meeting on the spectrum assignment strategy for 2022 to 2024 in Windhoek recently.“Cran will review the frequency band plan every four years at least . . . and amend frequency band allocations and regulations as required, following due regulatory process,” she said. Nghikembua said spectrum licensees would be required to migrate to new frequencies as a result of a new frequency band plan coming into effect.The authority will address each migration on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the regulations for spectrum licensing procedures, she said.“Cran has developed a spectrum assignment strategy setting out objectives for spectrum management and providing clarity in respect of the authority's approach to the control, planning, management, administration and licensing of radio frequency spectrum,” she said.Nghikembua said radio frequency spectrum is a limited, finite national resource that is critical in providing backbone, distribution, and last-mile solutions for commercial, civil, public, community, security, and personal communication services. “Cran will fulfil its role by managing the spectrum to facilitate the availability of spectrum to be used as a tool to develop communication services and access to information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure as a basis for social and economic development to benefit from the digital transformation and opportunities presented by the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” she said.Nghikembua said the authority has set out conditions to ensure the efficient use of scarce resources and prevent anti-competitive practices, such as the hoarding of spectrum, and to free up spectrum space for assignment to emerging technologies and services.“It's crucial to ensure interoperability between systems and networks, facilitating frequency coordination between countries, and establishing international systems. “Cran deems it prudent to keep abreast of the latest regulatory trends and technology developments to ensure the efficient use of the spectrum as a limited resource, taking into account the spectrum is the basis for development of the ICT sector,” she said.