The South African Spectrum Auction: An Insider View
A review of the recent South African spectrum auction and the learning for other regulators seeking to award spectrum to support the development of mobile broadband and 5G.
Introduction
Coleago Consulting, leveraging its involvement in the ICASA multi-band spectrum auction in South Africa, offers a comprehensive analysis aimed at distilling valuable insights for regulators and bidders across Africa. This paper supplements Coleago’s previous work on spectrum auctions in Tanzania, Nigeria, and collaboration with BOCRA in Botswana on spectrum management.
Overview of ICASA Auction Process and Key Results
The ICASA auction showcased several strengths and some areas ripe for improvement. The process encompassed a high-level review and culminated in significant outcomes. Notable elements contributing to success were the consultative approach, simultaneous spectrum awards, a strategic reserve price, and the engagement of a reputable advisor for effective auction implementation.
Insights for Other Regulators
Commendable Aspects: ICASA’s success underscores the importance of a consultative process, simultaneous awards, strategic reserve pricing, and expert advisory engagement.
Areas for Improvement & Insights: The paper highlights crucial areas for enhancement and learnings beneficial to other African regulators and bidders:
- Actioning legitimate responses from consultation processes is pivotal
- A transparent and straightforward pre-qualification process is essential
- Reducing regulatory uncertainty is vital for confident spectrum valuation
- Ensuring commercially viable coverage obligations and collaborating with the industry to address rural coverage challenges
- Prudent setting of eligibility points for different lots to mitigate bidding risks
- Selection of an appropriate auction format to ensure efficient spectrum assignment
- Introduction of spectrum trading for optimal spectrum utilisation
Conclusion
ICASA’s largely successful auction presents a model for commendable practices while also offering valuable lessons for improvement. The identified insights provide a roadmap for enhancing future spectrum award processes in Africa, enabling regulators and bidders to navigate complexities effectively and achieve more efficient spectrum allocation and utilisation.
Other insights
Spectrum Renewal: A Framework for Spectrum Valuation and Pricing
Mobile connectivity supports economic development, social participation and digital innovation across every modern economy. Yet the performance and resilience of this ecosystem depend on a scarce national asset – radio spectrum. As many countries approach key licence renewal milestones for the original IMT 4G spectrum bands that were issued 10 to 20 years ago, the question of how to value spectrum and how to determine an appropriate renewal price takes on increasing importance in the case where the spectrum is being renewed via an administrative or hybrid auction process.
Leveraging Terrestrial Mobile Spectrum for D2D capacity
This article was first published in the GTPRN 2026 Newsletter, February 2026. It provides a fresh perspective on the merits of leveraging terrestrial mobile spectrum for D2D capacity. Terrestrial mobile spectrum could be used to substantially increase D2D capacity precisely where it is needed the most given that in 90% of the globe’s surface there is no shortage of spectrum.
Navigating Spectrum Licence Renewal: Lessons from Australia
Australia’s spectrum licence renewal process shows how operators can align regulatory engagement with commercial strategy. This case study highlights Coleago’s role in helping Optus secure optimal outcomes, from evidence-based submissions to spectrum planning for 5G and 6G.
Tanzania’s 3.6 GHz Spectrum Auction: Key Insights and Lessons for Future 5G Awards
Tanzania’s recent 3.6 GHz spectrum auction marks a major step toward 5G, but its design choices raise important questions about efficiency and fairness. Coleago’s latest white paper reviews the TCRA auction and shares key lessons for regulators and operators shaping future 5G spectrum awards.
Implications of a Full Transition from DTT to IPTV in the UK by 2035
In May this year, Coleago published a report prepared for the UK Spectrum Policy Forum which provides a technical and strategic assessment of future options for use of the UHF band (470–694 MHz) in the United Kingdom beyond 2034.
The European 5G Fairytale
For years, European policymakers and telecom operators have touted the impressive figure: “89% 5G coverage of populated areas.” On paper, this paints a picture of near-ubiquitous, high-speed connectivity. Scratch the surface however, and the reality looks quite different.