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R2K notes with concern ICASA’s change of direction regarding the planned Wholesale Open-Access Network (WOAN).  Whereas it had previously committed to engaging in public consultation regarding the allocation of spectrum to the WOAN, it now claims to prefer to “engage other international jurisdictions” first.

Spectrum is a public good and the neoliberal model of auctioning blocks of it to the highest bidders leads to contradictory outcomes where large corporations hoard as much as they can in order to deny access to competitors. While there may be a shortage of spectrum in urban areas during certain hours, over the country as a whole most spectrum remains unused. The WOAN is a progressive idea to address this by restructuring the market, which we support. In particular, it holds the potential for creating access to spectrum by community networks, and it envisages a boom in mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), smaller businesses which resell cellular network access.

We fear that this policy arena has been affected by factional conflict within the ruling party. De-prioritising the WOAN could reflect greater neoliberal influence. We call for ICASA to resume its public consultation on the issue.

Issued by R2K