Impact of spectrum assignment approaches on growth and jobs

Plum prepared a paper for Vodafone assessing the potential consequences of different spectrum assignment approaches being considered in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular the paper discusses three case studies:

  • Kenya, where a single, monopoly wholesale LTE network based on a public private partnership (PPP) model was being considered by the Government
  • Ghana, where incumbent operators were not allowed to participate in the 2.6 GHz award process to encourage the entry of local firms
  • South Africa, where the regulator ICASA proposed to award the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands to local businesses while restricting incumbent operators to one spectrum package with wholesale obligations

In each case study, Plum quantified the potential costs of the delays in take-up of affordable broadband services in terms of growth and jobs. The findings were published as part of Vodafone’s Policy Paper Series (click here).