CRASA Supports Huawei call for faster spectrum allocation in Southern Africa to boost the Digital Economy

PRESS RELEASE

CRASA (Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa) Supports call from Huawei for faster spectrum allocation for Mobile broadband in Africa as the industry chain needed to implement it had been ready long time ago.

Attending the panel discussion on the Importance of Spectrum allocation in Africa, Executive Secretary of CRASA, Mr. Antony CHIAAGARA emphasised that “More spectrum resources can accelerate the adoption of broadband by individuals and households, and support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. All these can fuel ICT innovation. Over the next five years as Africa transitions from analogue to digital television, we are presented with an enormous opportunity: new frequencies are becoming available that can be used to increase high-speed wireless internet access for all Africans.

Mr. YANG. HUAWEI’s VP in charge of Strategy Marketing said Huawei is committed to working with its customers and industry partners to build a Better Connected World.   In order to capitalize on data dividend and information dividend, and embark on an open ROAD for a better connected world; the telecom industry must transform itself using ICT. Spectrum is the engine that drives national economic development. More spectrum resources can accelerate the adoption of broadband by individuals and households, and support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. All these can fuel ICT innovation. Over the next five years, mobile broadband deployment needs at least 2 GHz of spectrum.

We call for spectrums to be allocated at reasonable prices with large spectrum release, so that governments and operators can jointly promote the development of the MBB industry and share the benefits of the digital economy empowered by ICT

Huawei fully supports the approach, which required countries to authorize the use of the 800 MHz band for wireless broadband communications. It encourages the adoption of new frequency bands for the short and medium term.