The ICASA 5G Forum Meeting brought together industry experts, government representatives, and global organizations to explore the potential of 5G technology in South Africa. Discussions included the impact of 5G on the digital economy, reflections on deployment, and challenges encountered during implementation. Topics also encompassed international collaboration, spectrum policy, and addressing connectivity challenges. The forum laid the groundwork for South Africa’s path towards a digitally empowered and inclusive future.
What is the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting about?
The ICASA 5G Forum Meeting gathers industry experts, government representatives, and global organizations to consider the potential of 5G technology within South Africa. The forum explores the transformative role of 5G technology across multiple industries, with a focus on practical implementation, international cooperation, and innovative use cases to foster inclusivity and economic transformation. Discussions include the impact of 5G on the digital economy, reflections on deployment, and challenges encountered during implementation.
Thabiso Thukani, a representative from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, recently spoke at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) 5G Forum Meeting in Johannesburg. This forum, which has now taken place three times since 2017, gathers industry experts, government representatives, and global organizations to consider the potential of 5G technology within South Africa.
The theme “From Theory to Practice” guided attendees as they examined the transformative role of 5G technology across multiple industries, with topics ranging from lightning-fast internet speeds to low latency and vast connectivity. The focus of the event was on practical implementation, utilizing 5G’s potential to enable all South Africans to create and participate in technology-driven opportunities that foster inclusivity and economic transformation.
Delegates at the forum addressed various topics, including the impact of 5G on the digital economy, reflections on deployment, and challenges encountered during implementation. Thukani also underscored the significance of cybersecurity concerns within the scope of 5G technology.
South Africa’s collaboration with international standards and its input to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) were crucial aspects of the meeting. Thukani pointed out the historic joint submission by South Africa and Nigeria to the ITU Working Party 5D, which contributed to the development and completion of the ITU-R Framework for IMT-2030, laying the groundwork for 6G technology.
Spectrum policy, an essential component of electronic communications networks, was also a prominent topic at the forum. Thukani outlined the Minister’s plans to publish a new spectrum policy in the near future, emphasizing the importance of ensuring economic inclusion for all South Africans and bridging the digital and connectivity gaps that leave rural and underserved communities behind. The policy’s goal is to reduce communication costs and support innovation and the growth of emerging technologies.
As the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) approaches, Thukani emphasized the necessity of securing allocations for mobile and IMT services to guarantee the continual deployment of 5G and future technologies.
In 2021, South Africa held its first successful spectrum auction, and Thukani questioned its impact on connecting the unconnected and making data more affordable a year and a half later. According to ICASA’s report on the state of ICT in South Africa, national 5G population coverage was at 20% in 2022, with rural areas having no coverage.
Thukani urged telecommunications companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to incorporate the expansion of 5G into rural provinces in their infrastructure investments, with the goal of achieving 40-50% national 5G population coverage. He expressed interest in deploying use cases within South Africa, which are crucial for economic development, entrepreneurship, job opportunities, and innovation.
As the forum maintained its focus on 5G, Thukani recommended considering the eventual transition to 6G technology. He encouraged participants to explore the ITU-R timeline and processes for creating radio interface technology for 6G, ensuring that the forum remains pertinent and contributes to the development of 6G specifications.
In conclusion, Thukani expressed pride in South Africa and Nigeria’s input towards developing the IMT-2030 framework, guaranteeing that usage scenarios encompassed universal connectivity and coverage. He highlighted the importance of these contributions for the nation, aiming to address its needs while aligning with international standards.
In summary, the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting provided an opportunity for comprehensive discussions and deliberations on the future of 5G technology in South Africa. The event tackled the challenges and prospects of implementing 5G, ensuring that all South Africans can benefit from this groundbreaking technology. By focusing on practical implementation, international cooperation, and innovative use cases, the forum laid the foundation for South Africa’s path towards a digitally empowered and inclusive future.
The ICASA 5G Forum Meeting gathers industry experts, government representatives, and global organizations to consider the potential of 5G technology within South Africa. The forum explores the transformative role of 5G technology across multiple industries, with a focus on practical implementation, international cooperation, and innovative use cases to foster inclusivity and economic transformation. Discussions include the impact of 5G on the digital economy, reflections on deployment, and challenges encountered during implementation.
Topics discussed at the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting included the impact of 5G on the digital economy, reflections on deployment, challenges encountered during implementation, international collaboration, spectrum policy, and addressing connectivity challenges.
Industry experts, government representatives, and global organizations attended the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting.
Thabiso Thukani was a representative from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and spoke at the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting in Johannesburg.
The theme of the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting was “From Theory to Practice”.
International collaboration and spectrum policy are critical components of implementing and deploying 5G technology. South Africa’s inputs to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and plans to publish a new spectrum policy are essential in ensuring economic inclusion for all South Africans and bridging the digital and connectivity gaps that leave rural and underserved communities behind.
Challenges discussed during the ICASA 5G Forum Meeting included addressing connectivity challenges, ensuring economic inclusion for all South Africans, and bridging the digital and connectivity gaps that leave rural and underserved communities behind.
South Africa aims to achieve 40-50% national 5G population coverage and has plans to publish a new spectrum policy in the near future to support innovation and the growth of emerging technologies, reduce communication costs, and ensure economic inclusion for all South Africans. South Africa also aims to consider the eventual transition to 6G technology and explore the ITU-R timeline and processes for creating radio interface technology for 6G.
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