Stuff

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    What's Hot
    Gmail

    Gmail has a setting for confidential emails – this is how to use it

    August 19, 2022
    Nandos Pretender

    Nandos rolls out plant-based artificial meat in South Africa

    August 19, 2022
    Huawei

    Huawei brings new foldable, laptops and tablet to SA – meet the Mate Xs 2 and friends

    August 19, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube SoundCloud
    Trending
    • Gmail has a setting for confidential emails – this is how to use it
    • Nandos rolls out plant-based artificial meat in South Africa
    • Huawei brings new foldable, laptops and tablet to SA – meet the Mate Xs 2 and friends
    • Telkom Lend is how Telkom plans to help out small businesses
    • FNB’s eBucks petrol rewards will conclude at the end of September
    • Adidas’ new solar-charging headphones epitomise sustainability and sound
    • Using Flysafair’s updated WhatsApp check-in is as easy as 1, 2, 3
    • After 45 years, the 5-billion-year legacy of the Voyager 2 interstellar probe is just beginning
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    StuffStuff
    • News
      • App News
      • Business News
      • Camera News
      • Gaming News
      • Headphone News
      • Industry News
      • Internet News
      • Laptops News
      • Motoring News
      • Other Tech News
      • Phone News
      • Tablet News
      • Technology News
      • TV News
      • Wearables News
    • Reviews
      • Camera Reviews
      • Car Reviews
      • Featured Reviews
      • Game Reviews
      • Headphone Reviews
      • Laptop Reviews
      • Other Tech Reviews
      • Phone Reviews
      • Tablet Reviews
      • Wearables Reviews
    • Columns
    • Stuff Guides
    • Podcasts & Videos
      • Videos
      • Stuffed
      • Stuffing Around
      • Tech Byte
      • T2S2
    • Win
    • Subscribe
      • Print
      • Digital
        • Google Play
        • iTunes
        • Download
        • Zinio
    • Stuff Shop
      • Shop Now
      • My Account
      • Downloads
    • Contact Us
      • Get In Touch
      • Advertise
    0 Shopping Cart
    Stuff
    Home » News » Industry News » MTN users should brace for mobile network ‘load shedding’
    Industry News

    MTN users should brace for mobile network ‘load shedding’

    MarcéBy MarcéSeptember 2, 2021Updated:November 3, 2021No Comments2 Mins Read
    MTN telecoms
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) recently announced that it’ll be taking back the free spectrum handed out during the harsher lockdown levels in 2020. 

    The temporary radio frequency allocated to mobile networks when the world was ending a little bit will be yanked away come 30 November. This will cause a sort of ‘digital load shedding’, according to BusinessTech. 

    Back in April 2020, Icasa made additional temporary spectrum available to help mobile networks cope with the troves of people suddenly working from home. Residential network infrastructure just wasn’t ready for this type of influx. But the important word there is ‘temporary’ — it had to end at some point. 

    This week operators received an email detailing how they should get off the free spectrum before 30 November. 

    Get outta here, MTN (and others)

    According to BusinessTech, MTN’s exec for corporate affairs, Jacqui O’Sullivan says, “Since the start of the pandemic, the amount of data traffic that MTN has needed to carry for its customers has more than doubled.”

    “Removing the temporary spectrum, when the pandemic remains a reality for all South Africans and before Icasa completes the spectrum auction, will have a significant impact on data supply to South Africans.”

    The company is arguing that the emergency spectrum allocation should be extended in parallel with the extension of the National State of Disaster. “In fact, since the last extension, South Africa was hit by a record-breaking third wave of infections and was moved to level 4 risk adjustment level which was only dropped to level 3 on 25 July 2021.”

    There’s also no date in sight for the supposed spectrum auction Icasa’s been promising for more than a decade now. Will it happen soon? We’re not betting on it. That means South Africans on all networks may lose some connectivity in certain areas. Brace yourselves. 

    featured Icasa Mobile Network MTN radio frequency spectrum
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
    Marcé

    If I had a business card, it'd say 'Digital Editor at Stuff'. But I don't because my gamertag is more useful than a business card. I write about tech industry, hardware, software, games and motoring.

    Related Posts

    Gmail

    Gmail has a setting for confidential emails – this is how to use it

    August 19, 2022
    Nandos Pretender

    Nandos rolls out plant-based artificial meat in South Africa

    August 19, 2022
    Huawei

    Huawei brings new foldable, laptops and tablet to SA – meet the Mate Xs 2 and friends

    August 19, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    In The Mag
    Stuff August-September 2022 Latest Issue

    In This Issue – The Women in Tech (August-September 2022) Issue

    By Brett VenterAugust 1, 20220

    August is a pretty special month. It’s the host of International Women’s Day and is…

    2021 Wish List
    wish list Stuff Wish List 2021

    Stuff Wish List: for the tech impaired

    By Duncan PikeDecember 22, 20210

    Are you from the time before being glued to a smartphone was considered normal? Here’s…

    Wishlist DIY Stuff tech

    Stuff Wish List: for the DIY Diehard

    December 21, 2021
    Wish List Gearhead

    Stuff Wish List: For the petrol-soaked gearhead

    December 20, 2021
    outsiders

    Stuff Wish List: for the Outsiders

    December 17, 2021

    Latest Video

    Sonos

    SONOS Roam SL unboxing by Toby Shapshak

    Mini Cooper

    The Mini Cooper SE Electric with Toby Shapshak

    MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbox Six Extraction Edition unboxing

    MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbox Six Extraction Edition unboxing

    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Unboxing

    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra unboxing with Toby Shapshak

    Contact

    South Africa's Consumer Tech News Hub

    General: stuff@stuff.co.za
    Subscriptions: stuff@onthedot.co.za or 087 353 1291
    Editorial: 072 735 2614
    Sales: 083 375 2418

    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube SoundCloud

    Subscribe to Updates

    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy & POPI
    • My account
    © 2022 Stuff Group. Designed by Chronon.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.