CRAN reviews spectrum fees The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) recently hosted a public hearing to introduce 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.
Speaking at the public hearing, CRAN chief executive officer Festus Mbandeka said the current spectrum fees had not been reviewed since 2007.
He said CRAN wanted to ensure that charges are easy to understand and practical. It also wanted to minimise collection costs. Upon finalisation, the proposed fees will come into force on 1 January 2018.
Spectrum pricing, through frequency-user fees, is one of the tools through which CRAN aims to efficiently manage and maximise the economic benefit from the use of spectrum in Namibia. The main aim is to achieve both optimum spectrum occupancy and effective frequency utilisation.
CRAN is mandated in terms of section 99 of the Communications Act to regulate the full scope of activities related to spectrum management.
There are various spectrum licence types, which include the following: amateur services, maritime services, aeronautical services, various types of satellite services, mobile services, fixed services, land mobile services, broadcasting services, and radio communications systems.
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