Telecoms regulator ICASA<\/a> received applications from MTN , Vodacom<\/a>, Telkom<\/a>, Cell C<\/a>, Rain Networks<\/a> and Liquid Telecoms. Qualified bidders will be announced on Feb. 21 this year, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) said in a statement.
\"This will mark the next critical milestone in the effort of the authority to finally release this much-needed economic stimulus input,\" it added.
Operators have waited for more than 15 years for ICASA to release spectrum licences that are needed to lower data costs and add network capacity as data demand has surged and smartphone adoption continues to grow.
The spectrum auction has been stalled by legal challenges that threaten to further delay an auction critical for the country's roll out of 5G and expansion of 4G capacity.
The uncertainty was eased slightly when the country's third biggest telecom operator Telkom withdrew a court interdict this month that had sought to stop ICASA from processing any applications until after a review of the regulator's invitation to apply, which outlines the auction rules, spectrum bands and licence obligations.
ICASA said the auction will take place in March 2022.
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