ICASA Publishes 2026 National Radio Frequency Plan

South Africa Publishes Its New National Radio Frequency Plan

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published an updated National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) 2026, the country’s master reference for spectrum allocation. The plan was approved by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies on 2 July 2026 and published under section 34 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005). ICASA announced the final publication on 24 July 2026. The gazetted document spans nearly 400 pages and covers the full spectrum range from 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz.

The plan was developed through a two-phase public consultation: a first draft published on 4 April 2025, and a second draft published on 10 November 2025, with public hearings held on 15 and 16 January 2026.

Key Changes Under the NRFP 2026

ICASA updates its NRFP roughly every four years, following each ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) cycle. The NRFP 2026 aligns South Africa’s spectrum allocations with the ITU Radio Regulations, Edition 2024, which entered into force on 1 January 2025, as well as the African Telecommunications Union Spectrum Assignment Plan (AfriSAP) and the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan.

The plan formally replaces the National Radio Frequency Plan 2021. Frequency assignments and licences issued under the 2021 plan remain valid until their expiry, amendment, or revocation. Applications submitted before the NRFP 2026 was published but not yet finalised will now be assessed against the new plan, and where the two plans conflict, the NRFP 2026 prevails.

The updated plan also introduces a specific review process for mobile-satellite service (MSS) earth station applications in the 1610.00–1621.35 MHz band near declared radio astronomy areas, such as sites hosting the Square Kilometre Array and MeerKAT. Applicants in this band near protected sites will need to submit technical information, mitigation proposals, and siting justifications before ICASA makes a licensing decision.

Separately, ICASA announced the upcoming launch of a digital Electronic Frequency Information System (EFIS) portal, which will provide online access to the NRFP 2026. The portal is expected to go live in the days following the announcement and may become a reference tool for checking frequency band status ahead of licensing or type approval submissions.

Key Takeaways

• The NRFP 2026 replaces the 2021 plan as the current legal reference for permitted frequency bands in South Africa; existing licences remain valid until expiry, amendment, or revocation.
• Applicants should check target frequency bands against the updated plan before submitting type approval or spectrum licensing applications.
• The upcoming EFIS portal is worth monitoring as a potential tool for verifying frequency band availability during pre-approval planning.

Source

• ICASA Publishes an Updated National Radio Frequency Plan 2026
• National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 (Gazetted)