Spectrum auction process
Home >> Economic >> Telecoms >> Spectrum auction process

Individual Reform: Spectrum auction process 2026 - 2027

Although spectrum auction concluded, some spectrum is still not usable by telecom providers until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed, which is expected at the end of December 2024.

Analogue switch off

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. However, the process is expected to be completed in December 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

ASO is yet to be finalised

Actions

Qualified households have been awarded set-top boxes.

Are there plans?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme.

Is it on the agenda?

Most provinces have fully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Goals

The aim is to complete the migration from analogue to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. However, the process is expected to be completed in December 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

ASO is yet to be finalised

Actions

Qualified households have been awarded set-top boxes.

Are there plans?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme.

Is it on the agenda?

Most provinces have fully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Goals

The aim is to complete the migration from analogue to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. However, the process is expected to be completed on 31 December 2024, as gazetted in June 2023.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The ASO is yet to be finalised; the radio frequency spectrum will not be freed up until the digital migration process is completed.

Actions

Qualified households have been awarded set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. In November, the new minister Solly Malatsi informed the committee that the ASO by the end of this year is unlikely. The main concern is that government is yet to reach the target of 1,8-million installations of STBs in remaining households to complete the digital migration. Government estimates that there are about 1,3-million STBs installed thus far.

Are there plans?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme.

Is it on the agenda?

Most provinces have fully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. However, the process is expected to be completed on 31 December 2024, as gazetted in June 2023.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The ASO is yet to be finalised; the radio frequency spectrum will not be freed up until the digital migration process is completed.

Actions

Qualified households have been awarded set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. In November, the new minister Solly Malatsi informed the committee that the ASO by the end of this year is unlikely. The main concern is that government is yet to reach the target of 1,8-million installations of STBs in remaining households to complete the digital migration. Government estimates that there are about 1,3-million STBs installed thus far.

Are there plans?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme.

Is it on the agenda?

Most provinces have fully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. However, the process is expected to be completed on 31 March 2025, initially set for December 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The ASO is yet to be finalised; the radio frequency spectrum will not be freed up until the digital migration process is completed.

Actions

Qualified households have been awarded set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. In November, the new minister Solly Malatsi informed the committee that the ASO by the end of this year is unlikely. The main concern is that government is yet to reach the target of 1,8-million installations of STBs in remaining households to complete the digital migration.

Are there plans?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme.

Is it on the agenda?

Most provinces have fully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. Completion of the process has been continually delayed. The latest delay was due to the Gauteng High Court suspending the deadline following a legal challenge by broadcaster eTV and NGOs (Media Monitoring Africa and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition).

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The analogue switch off is yet to be finalised. Because analogue signals are still in use, the radio frequency spectrum allocated to analogue broadcasting remains occupied.

Actions

Qualified households have been provided set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. To complete the digital migration, government needs to reach its target of providing the remaining 1.8 million households with STBs.

Are there plans?

Yes, government is rolling out set-top boxes to complete the digital migration but progress is slow.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM). It is also on Operation Vulindlela's phase 1 agenda and has long been part of government plans: Icasa first attempted a specturm auction in 2011, then in 2016 and 2020, with each being held usually because of litigation by various parties.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue television to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

Following the successful spectrum auction held in 2022, the analogue switch-off (ASO) is yet to be finalised, because 1.8 million targeted households have not yet received subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for the migration from analogue to digital television. Completion of the process has been repeatedly delayed. The latest delay was due to the Gauteng High Court suspending the deadline following a legal challenge by broadcaster eTV and NGOs (Media Monitoring Africa and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition).

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The analogue switch off is yet to be finalised. Because analogue signals are still in use, the radio frequency spectrum allocated to analogue broadcasting remains occupied.

Actions

Qualified households have been provided set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. To complete the digital migration, government needs to reach its target of providing the remaining 1.8 million households with STBs.

Are there plans?

Yes, government is rolling out set-top boxes to complete the digital migration but progress is slow.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM). It is also on Operation Vulindlela's phase 1 agenda and has long been part of government plans: Icasa first attempted a spectrum auction in 2011, then in 2016 and 2020, with each being called off, usually because of litigation by various parties.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue television to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

Following the successful spectrum auction held in 2022, the analogue switch-off (ASO) is yet to be finalised, because 1.8 million targeted households have not yet received subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for the migration from analogue to digital television. Completion of the process has been repeatedly delayed. The latest delay was due to the Gauteng High Court suspending the deadline following a legal challenge by broadcaster eTV and NGOs (Media Monitoring Africa and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition).

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The analogue switch off is yet to be finalised. Because analogue signals are still in use, the radio frequency spectrum allocated to analogue broadcasting remains occupied.

Actions

Qualified households have been provided set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. To complete the digital migration, government needs to reach its target of providing the remaining 1.8 million households with STBs. In March 2025, however, the final analogue switch-off did not proceed as scheduled, with the Pretoria High Court granting an interdict to protect access to broadcasting services. No new nationwide deadline has been confirmed since then. Therefore, the digital migration process remains suspended.

Are there plans?

Yes, government is rolling out set-top boxes to complete the digital migration but progress is slow.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme. It is also on Operation Vulindlela's phase 1 agenda and has long been part of government plans: Icasa first attempted a spectrum auction in 2011, then in 2016 and 2020, with each being called off, usually because of litigation by various parties.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue television to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Summary

Following the successful spectrum auction held in 2022, the analogue switch-off (ASO) is yet to be finalised, because 1.8 million targeted households have not yet received subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for the migration from analogue to digital television. Completion of the process has been repeatedly delayed. The latest delay was due to the Gauteng High Court suspending the deadline following a legal challenge by broadcaster eTV and NGOs (Media Monitoring Africa and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition).

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

The analogue switch off is yet to be finalised. Because analogue signals are still in use, the radio frequency spectrum allocated to analogue broadcasting remains occupied.

Actions

Qualified households have been provided set-top boxes (STBs) in most provinces. Some households are still without STBs. To complete the digital migration, government needs to reach its target of providing the remaining 1.8 million households with STBs. In March 2025, however, the final analogue switch-off did not proceed as scheduled, with the Pretoria High Court granting an interdict to protect access to broadcasting services. No new nationwide deadline has been confirmed since then. Therefore, the digital migration process remains suspended.

Are there plans?

Yes, government is rolling out set-top boxes to complete the digital migration but progress is slow.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme. It is also on Operation Vulindlela's phase 1 agenda and has long been part of government plans: Icasa first attempted a spectrum auction in 2011, then in 2016 and 2020, with each being called off, usually because of litigation by various parties.

Goals

Complete the migration from analogue television to digital signals. The purpose is to free up limited radio frequency spectrum that can be used for mobile broadband services.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: in-progress
Last Updated:
Next Update:
Got an Update? Follow this reform
Reform Area:
Reform:

    If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

    Spectrum auction

    Summary

    The auction of radio frequency spectrum was successful

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Actions met and completed.

    Actions

    Spectrum auction concluded but some spectrum is still not usable until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme

    Is it on the agenda?

    Promises were made which saw six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) awarded spectrum.

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced. ICASA concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. It drew in R14,4bn to the national fiscus.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    The auction of radio frequency spectrum was successful

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Actions met and completed.

    Actions

    Spectrum auction concluded but some spectrum is still not usable until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme

    Is it on the agenda?

    Promises were made which saw six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) awarded spectrum.

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced. ICASA concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. It drew in R14,4bn to the national fiscus.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    The auction of radio frequency spectrum was successful

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Actions met and completed.

    Actions

    Spectrum auction concluded but some spectrum is still not usable until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme

    Is it on the agenda?

    Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced. ICASA concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. It drew in R14,4bn to the national fiscus.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    The auction of radio frequency spectrum was successful

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Actions met and completed.

    Actions

    Spectrum auction concluded but some spectrum is still not usable until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme

    Is it on the agenda?

    Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced. ICASA concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. It drew in R14,4bn to the national fiscus.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    The auction of radio frequency spectrum was successful

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Actions met and completed.

    Actions

    Spectrum auction concluded but some spectrum is still not usable until the analogue switch-off (ASO) process is completed

    Are there plans?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration (BDM) programme

    Is it on the agenda?

    Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced. ICASA concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. It drew in R14,4bn to the national fiscus.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    Icasa concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. The auction added R14,4bn to the national fiscus. However, some frequency band is still utilised by analogue broadcasters as the television analogue-digital conversion process is not complete. ICASA aims to free-up this spectrum for other uses as part of a larger plan to transition to digital terrestrial television. Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The six qualified telecoms providers are only using part of the radio spectrum allocated to them, in part because some spectrum bands remain occupied by analogue television transmitters. Currently, all analogue broadcasting happens in the frequency band below 694 MHz. The aim is to make the 470-694 MHz frequency band immediately available for digital terrestrial television after analgue TV broadcasts have been shut down. Five major broadcasters (e.tv, SABC, Soweto TV, 1KZN and Trinity Broadcasting Network) were approved by ICASA to move their analogue transmissions into this band temporarily during the migration phase. Telecommunication companies were assigned frequencies in the 700 MHz and above bands when ICASA switched off analogue TV broadcasting above 694 MHz in July 2023. ICASA aims to switch off analogue television broadcasting permanently.

    Actions

    All households must have set-top boxes before the spectrum can be fully utilised by the telecoms companies.

    Are there plans?

    Government is pushing ahead with rolling out set-top boxes.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM).

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    Icasa concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. The auction added R14,4bn to the national fiscus. However, some frequency band is still utilised by analogue broadcasters as the television analogue-digital conversion process is not complete. ICASA aims to free-up this spectrum for other uses as part of a larger plan to transition to digital terrestrial television. Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The six qualified telecoms providers are only using part of the radio spectrum allocated to them, in part because some spectrum bands remain occupied by analogue television transmitters. Currently, all analogue broadcasting happens in the frequency band below 694 MHz. The aim is to make the 470-694 MHz frequency band immediately available for digital terrestrial television after analogue TV broadcasts have been shut down. Five major broadcasters (e.tv, SABC, Soweto TV, 1KZN and Trinity Broadcasting Network) were approved by ICASA to move their analogue transmissions into this band temporarily during the migration phase. Telecommunication companies were assigned frequencies in the 700 MHz and above bands when ICASA switched off analogue TV broadcasting above 694 MHz in July 2023. ICASA aims to switch off analogue television broadcasting permanently.

    Actions

    All households must have set-top boxes before the spectrum can be fully utilised by the telecoms companies. The 470-694 MHz frequency band is still used for analogue TV broadcasts.

    Are there plans?

    Government is pushing ahead with rolling out set-top boxes.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM).

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    Icasa concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. The auction added R14,4bn to the national fiscus. However, some frequency band is still utilised by analogue broadcasters as the television analogue-digital conversion process is not complete. ICASA aims to free-up this spectrum for other uses as part of a larger plan to transition to digital terrestrial television. Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The six qualified telecoms providers are only using part of the radio spectrum allocated to them, in part because some spectrum bands remain occupied by analogue television transmitters. Currently, all analogue broadcasting happens in the frequency band below 694 MHz. The aim is to make the 470-694 MHz frequency band immediately available for digital terrestrial television after analogue TV broadcasts have been shut down. Five major broadcasters (e.tv, SABC, Soweto TV, 1KZN and Trinity Broadcasting Network) were approved by ICASA to move their analogue transmissions into this band temporarily during the migration phase. Telecommunication companies were assigned frequencies in the 700 MHz and above bands when ICASA switched off analogue TV broadcasting above 694 MHz in July 2023. ICASA aims to switch off analogue television broadcasting permanently.

    Actions

    All households must have set-top boxes before the spectrum can be fully utilised by the telecoms companies. The 470-694 MHz frequency band is still used for analogue TV broadcasts.

    Are there plans?

    Government is pushing ahead with rolling out set-top boxes.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM).

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Summary

    Icasa concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. The auction added R14,4bn to the national fiscus. However, some frequency band is still utilised by analogue broadcasters as the television analogue-digital conversion process is not complete. ICASA aims to free-up this spectrum for other uses as part of a larger plan to transition to digital terrestrial television. Six qualified telecoms providers (Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain Networks, Telkom and Vodacom) were awarded spectrum.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    The six qualified telecoms providers are only using part of the radio spectrum allocated to them, in part because some spectrum bands remain occupied by analogue television transmitters. Currently, all analogue broadcasting happens in the frequency band below 694 MHz. The aim is to make the 470-694 MHz frequency band immediately available for digital terrestrial television after analogue TV broadcasts have been shut down. Five major broadcasters (e.tv, SABC, Soweto TV, 1KZN and Trinity Broadcasting Network) were approved by ICASA to move their analogue transmissions into this band temporarily during the migration phase. Telecommunication companies were assigned frequencies in the 700 MHz and above bands when ICASA switched off analogue TV broadcasting above 694 MHz in July 2023. ICASA aims to switch off analogue television broadcasting permanently.

    Actions

    All households must have set-top boxes before the spectrum can be fully utilised by the telecoms companies. The 470-694 MHz frequency band is still used for analogue TV broadcasts.

    Are there plans?

    Government is pushing ahead with rolling out set-top boxes.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of the broadcasting digital migration programme (BDM).

    Goals

    The goal to allocate more spectrum to telecoms operators, using the spectrum in place from the SABC's conversion from analogue to digital transmission, is advanced.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: in-progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.