The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has noted the new court application by Telkom to set aside the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for IMT Spectrum issued by ICASA on 10 December 2021.

This development happens without affording Minister Ntshavheni an opportunity to resolve whatever concerns Telkom may have with the current ITA.

The Minister reiterates that the conclusion of a process to release the IMT spectrum by 31 March 2022 is important for the country to reap the benefits of the digital dividend in the country’s quest for post COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery, job creation and transforming SA into a digital economy.

The Minister is taking legal advice and would respond accordingly to Telkom’s court application. In the meantime, the Minister will engage Telkom and all relevant parties with the aim to reach an out of court settlement and avoid further delays in the release of spectrum.

ICASA confirmed that it has been served with an urgent application filed in the High Court, Pretoria by Telkom SA CASA confirms that it has been served with an urgent application filed in the High Court, Pretoria by Telkom SA SOC Limited (“Telkom”) on Tuesday, 4 January 2022, in which Telkom seeks to, yet again derail the much anticipated and urgently needed licensing process for the International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum earmarked for auction in March this year.