We were very surprised and pleased to learn that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has successfully concluded its high-demand radio frequency spectrum auction.
The auction concluded on Thursday and total successful bids drew in R14.4 billion which will be added to the national fiscus, Icasa said. This figure includes the main auction as well as the opt-in auction which took place on 8th March.
The auction saw six qualified bidders participating including Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom.
“This was our inaugural radio frequency spectrum auction, and we are really grateful to have reached this stage without any hassles and challenges from the first day of the actual auction to date. This shows South Africa’s capability as an investment friendly destination,” Icasa chairperson, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, said in a statement.
The spectrum lots acquired as well as how much was paid for said lots for both the Opt-In and main auction are outlined in the tables below.
The next phase in the auction is the assignment round although this is purely administrative and will determine the spectrum ranges that will be assigned on the back of the purchases made in the various bands.
| Spectrum Lots Acquired in Opt-In Auction and Associated Revenue | |||||
| Bidder | 700 | 800 | 2600 | 3500 | Total (ZAR) |
| Telkom | 20 | 1 504 815 407.10 | |||
| Liquid Intelligent Technologies | |||||
| Cell C | |||||
| Rain | 20 | 10 | 1 151 274 105.50 | ||
| Sub-total Revenue | 2 656 089 512.60 | ||||
| Spectrum Lots Acquired in Main Auction Stage and Associated Revenue | |||||
| Bidder | 700 | 800 | 2600 | 3500 | Total (ZAR) |
| Telkom | 22 | 608 800 000 | |||
|
Liquid Intelligent Technologies
|
4 | 111 000 000 | |||
| Cell C | 10 | 288 200 000 | |||
| Rain | 10 | 280 100 000 | |||
| MTN | 20 | 40 | 40 | 5 152 100 000 | |
| Vodacom | 20 | 80 | 10 | 5 381 600 000 | |
| UNSOLD | 20 | ||||
| Sub-total Revenue | 11 821 800 000 | ||||
| Total Spectrum Lots Acquired per Bidder and Associated Financial Commitment | |||||
| Bidder | 700 | 800 | 2600 | 3500 | Total (ZAR) |
| Telkom | 20 | 22 | 2 113 615 407.10 | ||
| Liquid Intelligent Technologies | 4 | 111 000 000.00 | |||
| Cell C | 10 | 288 200 000.00 | |||
| Rain | 20 | 20 | 1 431 374 105.50 | ||
| MTN | 20 | 40 | 40 | 5 152 100 000.00 | |
| Vodacom | 20 | 80 | 10 | 5 381 600 000.00 | |
| Unsold | 20 | ||||
| Total Revenue Generated | 14 477 889 512.60 | ||||
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]
