17th European Spectrum Management Conference

This conference has now taken place. Keep an eye out here for updates on a future event! 

Session replays

Event photos

Event Overview

The 7th Sub-Sahara Spectrum Management Conference took place in a hybrid format on 3 & 4 November 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. 

The event gathered key stakeholders to discuss topical issues relating to the management and coordination of spectrum policy across the region. During the 2 days attendees had the opportunity to get involved and engage through interactive sessions, networking opportunities, exhibition area and much more.

The conference is part of The Global Spectrum SeriesThe world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences

Key Themes

Spectrum challenges, opportunities and targets for Africa

WRC-23 - progress, challenges and opportunities

Digital switchover and the wider sub-1GHz ecosystem

Key mid-band frequencies - 2.6GHz, C-band, 6GHz

Rural connectivity and the digital divide

Towards a harmonized 5G strategy for Africa

Spectrum pricing and award mechanisms

Organisers & Partners

Supported by

ICASA-Logo-full-colour
africa-telecommunications-unionb
Updated ITU Logo
GSOA
GSOA

Platinum Partners

Forum Global (1)
logo
ATDI logo new
BNE-wp
Coleago
Ericsson
GSMA 2022
GSOA
Huawei website
intel website
Intelsat
Meta
Nokia
Oneweb
Qualcomm
GSOA
Huawei website
intel website
Intelsat
Nokia
Oneweb

Silver Partner

APWPT
NERA-wordpress-logo
NERA-wordpress-logo
NERA-wordpress-logo
GSOA
GSOA

Knowledge Partners

Aetha 2021 logo
NERA-wordpress-logo
GSOA
GSOA
GSOA
GSOA

Speakers Included

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Khumbudzo Phophi Silence Ntshavheni

Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa

charley lewis 240

Charley Lewis

Acting Chairperson, ICASA

John Omo

John Omo

Secretary General ATU

Mario Maniewicz

Mario Maniewicz

Director, BR
ITU

Kezias MWALE 5 (2)

Kezias Mwale

Radiocommunication Coordinator
ATU

Elizabeth Migwalla

Elizabeth Migwalla

Vice President Government Affairs
Qualcomm

Hazem Moakkit

Hazem Moakkit

Vice President, Spectrum Strategy, Intelsat

256Dr Bienvenu AGBOKPONTO SOGLO_Headshot_Intel copy

Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo

Director, Government Affairs, Intel

Scott_McKenzie copy

Scott McKenzie

Director, Coleago Consulting

Nada Abdelhafez

Nada Abdelhafez

Head of Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs, MEA region, Shure (on behalf of APWPT)

Amr Ashour 256

Amr Ashour

Senior Manager, Government & Regulatory Engagement, OneWeb

Eiman-photo

Eiman Mohyeldin

Global Head of Spectrum Standardization, Nokia

Marius Engelbrecht

Marius Engelbrecht

Senior Strategy Consultant, Southern Africa Region Public Relations Department, Huawei

25_Kamal_Tamawa

Kamal Tamawa

Director of Public Policy, SSA, GSMA

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Joe Frans

AUB Expert, Broadcast Networks Europe

El Hadjar Abdouramane

El Hadjar Abdouramane

Chairman, ATU Working Group on Fixed and Mobile Services for WRC-23

Abraham Oshadami

Abraham Oshadami

Head of Information Technology Department, NCC Nigeria

Fargani Tambeayuk

Fargani Tambeayuk

Head of Connectivity Policy, SSA, Meta

Basebi

Basebi Mosinyi

Vice-Chairperson ATU WG4B-Satellite Issues and Deputy Director, Spectrum Management, BOCRA

Peter Zimri

Peter Zimri

Councillor, ICASA

Agenda

You can view the agenda in your preferred time zone by selecting it from the list below.
Day 1
2022-11-03
Day 2
2022-11-04
09:00 - 10:05
Session 1 – Setting the scene – Key spectrum challenges, opportunities and targets for Africa

To help set the scene for the event and identify some concrete aims and objectives, keynote speakers will be asked as part of their presentation to give an overview of what they see as the key spectrum challenges and opportunities for the region; and on what they feel should be the spectrum targets for the region in the short, medium and long term. These presentations will then be followed by an interactive voting session, where both in-person and virtual attendees will be asked to add their thoughts on these 2 questions, before a panel discussion involving key industry and policy voices is held to address the points that have been raised, and to look at the best way forward to deliver a spectrum strategy that works for Africa.

Session 1 – Setting the scene – Key spectrum challenges, opportunities and targets for Africa image
Mario Maniewicz
Director BR, ITU
Session 1 – Setting the scene – Key spectrum challenges, opportunities and targets for Africa image
John Omo
Secretary General, ATU
Session 1 – Setting the scene – Key spectrum challenges, opportunities and targets for Africa image
Khumbudzo Phophi Silence Ntshavheni
Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa
10:05 - 11:15
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa
  • What do you see as the key spectrum challenges for the region, and how would you respond to the messages from the keynote speakers and from the audience vote?
  • Given the different pace of technological development that is seen across the region in areas such as 5G rollout etc., how can the goal of a co-ordinated approach to spectrum management be achieved? How can the needs of all countries and regions across the continent be taken into account in the development of this?
  • What role can spectrum play in driving forward the development of emerging new technologies, and how can it be ensured that a forward looking and cohesive strategy is put in place to enable this?
  • What progress has been made in ensuring that the required spectrum is available to deliver the sustainable, wide-reaching and reliable connectivity that is crucial to the future growth of countries across Sub-Saharan Africa?
  • How can it be ensured that once spectrum is allocated, it is brought to market as quickly and as efficiently as possible?
  • How can spectrum be best harnessed to help contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other pressing societal challenges for the region?
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa image
Moderator: Hans-Martin Ihle
Associate Director, Nera Economic Consulting
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa image
Eiman Mohyeldin
Global Head of Spectrum Standardization, Nokia
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa image
Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo
Director, Government Affairs Africa, Intel
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa image
Cecil Ameil
Chair, Regulatory Working Group, GSOA
Session 1 – Panel discussion: Delivering a spectrum strategy that works for Africa image
Dr Moshe Masonta
Research Group Leader and Principal Researcher, CSIR
11:15 - 11:40
Morning refreshments
11:40 - 13:00
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1

Despite the challenging environment created by the global pandemic, preparations for WRC-23 are progressing well. Both within Africa and elsewhere in Region 1, positions are starting to emerge and good progress on preparatory studies is being seen. And now, less than a month after this event, the second inter-regional workshop is due to be held, providing the latest opportunity for different regions to come together to discuss these emerging positions. This session will provide the opportunity to take stock in the build-up to that meeting and at the progress on preparation that is being made both in Africa and elsewhere. As we move towards the final year of preparation for WRC-23, it will discuss the challenges ahead and the work that still needs to be done to ensure a successful outcome for WRC-23 for the Sub-Sahara region and more broadly.

 

  •  What impact has the pandemic had on preparation for WRC-23, and to what extent is preparation on track both in Africa and elsewhere?
  • What key outcomes and positions emerged at the most recent ATU preparatory meeting, which was held a few months ago?
  • Are we seeing consensuses starting to emerge with regards to the development of a common position across any of the key agenda items?
  • How do these emerging positions compare with those that are starting to be seen elsewhere in region 1 and on a global level?
  • Are we on track with regards to the preparatory studies that have been taking place and the drafting of text for the CPM?
  • Which issues are expected to be the most challenging in finding agreement both within Africa and across region 1 more broadly?
  • What are the key challenges that remain in the final year of preparation for WRC-23, and how can stakeholders in Africa work together to ensure the most successful outcome at the conference for the region as a whole?
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Moderator: Kezias Mwale
Radiocommunications Coordinator, ATU
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
El Hadjar Abdouramane
Chairman, ATU Working Group on Fixed and Mobile Services for WRC-23
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Baxton Sirewu
Chairman, ATU Task Group on Emerging Technologies
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Ross Bateson
Special Advisor, GSMA
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Linden Petzer
Senior Consultant for Africa, GSOA
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Shiv Bakhshi
VP, Industry Relations, Group Function Technology, Ericsson
Session 2: WRC-23 – progress, challenges and opportunities in Africa and across Region 1 image
Walid Sami
Senior Project Manager, European Broadcasting Union
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Session 3: Continuing the path towards a harmonized continental 5G strategy

At each of the last 4 editions of this conference, a session has been held that has charted the progress, challenges and opportunities as Sub-Sahara embarks on the path to 5G and looks to deliver a harmonized continental strategy that will help to unleash its true potential. Continuing the discussion, this session will look at the work that has taken place over the last 12 months to build on crucial policy recommendations that were set out last year by ATU, and the work that is being done at a regional level by the African Union Commission. With 5G now a reality in Africa and networks starting to be rolled out across countries including Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, how can the goal of regional harmonisation be achieved, and what impact can this have on laying the ground for the full potential of 5G to be seen?

 

    • How important are regional harmonisation efforts and what impact can they have on delivering an environment that encourages mobile network operators to scale up 5G-related investment across the African continent?
    • What recommendations on spectrum policy were put forward by ATU and the African Union last year, and what progress has been made on putting these into practice?
    • What lessons can be taken from those countries that have started to rollout 5G networks across the region, and how can the experiences of these early-movers help contribute to the harmonised regional approach that is being worked towards?
    • What mix of technologies and solutions are best going to meet the needs of Africa’s 5G future, and how can it be ensured that both the infrastructure and spectrum is in place to deliver this?
    • What role can the emergence of 5G play in helping to meet the needs of vertical industries across Africa? How can the potential of different technologies and connectivity models be harnessed in order to ensure the sometimes very varied needs of different users are met?
    • What challenges still remain as Africa continues on the path towards a 5G future? How can it be ensured that the benefits of future network technologies are felt by all societies across the region, including those in developing areas and low-income consumers?
    • How close are we to achieving the goal of a coordinated roadmap for the rollout of 5G across the region?
14:00 - 14:05
Setting The Scene – Introduction from the Moderator
Setting The Scene – Introduction from the Moderator image
Moderator: Elizabeth Migwalla
Vice President Government Affairs, Qualcomm
14:05 - 14:15
Presentation
Presentation image
Baxton Sirewu
Chairman, ATU Task Group on Emerging Technologies
14:15 - 14:25
Case Study – 5G Rollout in Kenya
Case Study – 5G Rollout in Kenya image
Daniel Obam
Communications Secretary, National Communications Secretariat, Kenya
14:25 - 14:35
Case Study – 5G Rollout in Nigeria
Case Study – 5G Rollout in Nigeria image
Abraham Oshadami
Head Spectrum Administration, NCC Nigeria
14:35 - 15:40
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Moderator: Elizabeth Migwalla
Vice President Government Affairs, Qualcomm
Panel Discussion image
Daniel Obam
Communications Secretary, National Communications Secretariat, Kenya
Panel Discussion image
Baxton Sirewu
Chairman, ATU Task Group on Emerging Technologies
Panel Discussion image
Franklin Kano Ocharo
Head of Fixed Data, Tribe Lead, Safaricom Plc Kenya
Panel Discussion image
Peter Djakwah
Manager, Engineering, National Communications Authority, Ghana
Panel Discussion image
Abraham Oshadami
Head Spectrum Administration, NCC Nigeria
15:40 - 16:00
Afternoon Refreshments
16:00 - 17:10
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band

African countries proposed at WRC-19 to study the identification of 6425-7125 MHz for IMT. The proposal is on the agenda of WRC-23.In July last year, a recommendation was made by ATU to enable licence-exempt technologies to operate in 5925-6425 MHz. Globally There is a debate on the balance of unlicensed and licensed services in the 5925-7125 MHz band. The IMT community argues that broadband connectivity in Africa is largely provided through mobile networks, and this band would provide additional capacity for 5G and for fixed wireless access in the future. On the other hand the WiFi community argue that making it available on a licence-exempt basis is vital to help addressing the digital divide, improving rural connectivity and accelerate economic innovation. This session will look at the arguments on both sides, and at where the balance of licenced and licence-exempt use across the 6Ghz band should lie.

● Where does the balance lie between licenced and licence-exempt use across the 6Ghz spectrum?
● What is the status of the WRC-23 preparations and what should be the approach of the Sub-Sahara region to the upper portion of the band?
● What socio-economic benefits would be offered by making the spectrum in the band available on an unlicenced or a licensed basis respectively? What approach would provide the best option to maximise these benefits across both developed and developing countries in the Sub-Sahara region?
● To what extent is co-existence between incumbent and potential new users such as WiFi and 5G feasible? What are some potential challenges would this present and how could these be overcome?
● Is there a solution that would ensure that sufficient spectrum in the band is available for both WiFi and IMT users?

Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Moderator: Jonathan Wall
Manager, Aetha Consulting
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Kalvin Bahia
Principal Economist, GSMA Intelligence
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Fargani Tambeayuk
Head of Connectivity Policy, Africa, Meta
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Dick Sono
Chief Director Radio Frequency Spectrum, DTPS, South Africa
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Arthur Gnonsou
Spectrum Manager, ARCEP Benin
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Mortimer Hope
Associate Director and Africa Lead, Policy Impact Partners
Session 4: To licence or not to licence? Maximising the socio-economic benefits of the 6GHz band image
Cesar Gutierrez
Head of Africa Regulatory Policy, Huawei (on behalf of Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia)
09:00 - 09:15
Opening Keynote Presentation
Opening Keynote Presentation image
Charley Lewis
Acting Chairperson, ICASA
Session 5: Bringing the Spectrum to Market – Developing a bluepoint for effective spectrum pricing and award mechanisms in Africa

The process of bringing spectrum to market is not a simple one, and there are many different elements for regulators to consider when looking to design a process for assigning spectrum licences that ensures an efficient allocation of the available bandwidth at a fair price; and ultimately delivers a competitive market and encourages innovation. With a number of successful awards having taken place recently in the region, this session will provide the opportunity to look back at these and at the approaches that were taken. It will then move on to look more broadly at the different options that are available to regulators when looking at setting spectrum prices and designing award mechanisms, and at what needs to be done in order to ensure a successful outcome. Focussing on the importance of planning ahead and the role that the provision of a roadmap for spectrum release can play in helping to provide regulatory certainty and promote investment and innovation, it will look to the future and at what needs to be done to ensure that the full value of spectrum that is made available can be harnessed as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Case Study 1: A ‘360 Degree’ Case Study – The recent spectrum auction in South Africa

In March this year, ICASA successfully completed an auction of key spectrum bands, with six bidders paying a total of R14 billion for licences across the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. This session will offer a unique ‘360 degree’ case study of the auction and award process, with perspectives from the regulator responsible for the auction; the experts advising on design and strategy; and operators who took part and were successful in securing spectrum.

09:15 - 09:25
The View from the Regulator
The View from the Regulator image
Peter Zimri
Councillor, ICASA
09:25 - 09:35
The View from the Expert Advisor
The View from the Expert Advisor image
Hans-Martin Ihle
Associate Director, Nera Economic Consulting
The View from the Expert Advisor image
Vutomi Mabunda-Jones
Managing Director, Tirhani Auctioneers
09:35 - 09:45
The View from the Successful Bidder