Introduction

1. INTRODUCTION

Section 31(1) of the IBA Act 153 of 1993 states 'The Authority shall as soon as may be reasonable practicable after commencement of this Act prepare a frequency plan whereby the maximum number of frequencies available for broadcasting services is determined'. Section 31(5)(a) indicates that the plan must be reviewed annually. The draft broadcast frequency plan which was published in November 1998, has now been revised and the appropriate input is contained in the Broadcast Frequency Plan 1999 (this document). This document gives the current broadcasting frequency assignments in South Africa, in the form of tables. This data is stored in the IBA's electronic database. The frequencies listed fall into one of three groups of assignment status. These are frequencies assigned and in use (operational); spare frequencies in the vicinity of an existing transmitting station site and frequencies available for use in the vicinity of a theoretically determined lattice node point. The information is provided in tables which, in the case of VHF and UHF stations, is structured to give the transmitting station name, together with its co-ordinates. This is then followed by the frequency, the maximum effective radiated power and the polarisation mode. In the case of MF (medium-frequency) stations a somewhat different format is followed. In cases where the frequency is already in use the name of the programme services is given, together with the date it came on air. In each case it is indicated into which of the three above-mentioned assignment-status categories the frequency falls. The Broadcast Frequency Plan does not make provision for any terrestrial digital broadcasting. This requirement will be addressed in the next revision of the draft broadcast frequency plan. The Authority expresses its appreciation to all parties, and in particular Sentech, who contributed in the compilation of this plan.