Outdated spectrum fees reviewed

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) recently hosted a public hearing in Windhoek to introduce the new regulations on spectrum fees.
Stakeholders such as telecommunication service providers, broadcasters, maritime, aeronautical and amateur licensees were afforded an opportunity to provide their input.
CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Festus Mbandeka said, “It is important to mention that the current spectrum fees have not been reviewed since 2007”. He added that for this reason, there is a strong justification to do so due to inter alia, an inflationary impact cost recovery in respect of operational activities and capital investment pertaining to spectrum management.
“CRAN would like to achieve simplicity by ensuring that charges are easy to understand, are practical and minimise collection cost. Upon finalisation, the proposed fees will come into force on 01 January 2018” he said.
CRAN is mandated in terms of section 99 of the Communications Act, 2009 to regulate the full scope of activities related to spectrum management. There are various spectrum licence types including amateur services, maritime services, aeronautical services, various types of satellite services, mobile services, fixed services, land mobile services, broadcasting services, and radio communications systems.
CRAN said spectrum pricing, through frequency-user fees, is one of the tools to manage and maximise the economic benefit from the use of spectrum. The main aim is to achieve both optimum spectrum occupancy and effective frequency utilisation.