Abstract
Radio Frequency Spectrum (RFS) is a scarce resource that enables innovation and creativity. It supports major wireless communication services such as cellular mobile services, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and broadcasting services. Access to new RFS bands will lead to a new wave of innovation in the digital ecosystem. High Demand Spectrum (HDS) is a portion of the RFS used by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide high speed broadband services to the customers. Countries around the globe allocate HDS to enable MNOs to build network infrastructure that will support the provision of high-speed broadband services to its customers. The release of HDS by Government and Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities around the world will enable construction of network infrastructure for broadband services which may perhaps decrease the price of mobile data. This research investigates if the price of mobile data is caused by absence to HDS access.
The research also undertook a comparative case study analysis from India, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa and further evaluated the trends of pre-paid mobile data pricing in South Africa. This research focused on telecommunications infrastructure in the target country, with a focus on the regulatory landscape, broadband policy, universal and community access, sharing of the infrastructure as well as management of the spectrum in specific countries. The study also examined the trends in mobile data costs in South Africa from 2017 to 2022 for the four major MNOs.
The study's findings indicate that allocating high-demand radio frequency spectrum to MNOs will reduce the cost of mobile data charges to some extent. Policy and regulatory action are also required to monitor the industry and implement pro-competitive policies that will increase competition in the sector. The traditional method of spectrum allocation must
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also be revised to allow for dynamic spectrum allocation (DSA), which will be more effective in the utilisation of spectrum, especially due to the increase in demand in the digital ecosystem. For the government to implement it, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) must be precise and be assessed on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to be relevant as innovation and technology evolve on a regular basis.