License-Exempt Wireless Policy: Results of an African Survey

Abstract

New radio technologies and public policies have, in many countries, allowed transmission on specific frequencies by individuals without a license. These license-exempt, or "unlicensed," bands (including 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz in the United States and much of Europe) are increasingly used for data and voice communications through technologies such as Wi-Fi. We surveyed all African countries on the regulation and use of these bands to assess the implications of unlicensed wireless for telecommunications and Internet development in Africa. Responses from differing country informants, though mostly from regulators, were received from nearly every country on the continent. Responses showed significant policy diversity across countries, with wide variation observed in licensing and equipment certification requirements, enforcement, and restrictions on power output, range, and service offerings. We argue that this regulatory diversity across the continent inhibits economies of scale and may discourage large entrants. Furthermore, lack of clarity and enforcement discourages innovation and small entrepreneurs. (c) 2005 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A synthesis of research on ICT adoption and use by medical professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…There has also been an acceleration of Internet growth among other SSA countries [54]. However, the growth of wireless Internet has been slowed by lacking and inconsistent regulation and licensing of the wireless spectrum by countries in SSA [38].…”

VoIP deregulation in South Africa: Implications for underserviced areas

“…In terms of WiFi legislation globally, the ISM bands including 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are licence exempt in the USA and much of Europe (Neto et al, 2004). In fact, 41 percent of all developing countries worldwide allow unlicensed use of internet devices and/or spectra while 96 percent of developed countries have licence exempt wireless (Wireless Internet Institute et al, 2003).…”

“…However, in Africa, wireless spectrums are largely restricted. For use of these bands, Neto et al (2004) have drawn up several categories into which each African country falls. In parts of Africa such as Rwanda, Lesotho and Tunisia, the bands are considered unlicensed with no registration.…”

“…In the last category of licensing of wireless technologies in Africa, use of the ISM bands is simply barred as in Zimbabwe. Even though licensing regimes differ across the continent, it was found that 37 percent of all African countries are using wireless technologies for providing backhaul connectivity in rural areas (Neto et al, 2004). Backhaul connectivity refers to connecting links up to the main network backbone.…”

“…Furthermore, they recommend that WiFi and VSAT should be opened up to further this cause. Neto et al (2004) andBest (2003) also propose that the unlicensed spectrum and low cost wireless technologies that operate in these bands could benefit developing countries with underdeveloped telecommunications and internet infrastructures. They propose that licence exempt regulations provide an environment for entrepreneurship which will lead to a reduction in barriers to entry for network service providers.This will help to achieve more widespread internet access.…”