Innovation in spectrum management is no longer an abstract policy debate confined to research papers and conference rooms. Today, it is a practical driver for expanding digital inclusion, shaping regulatory thinking, and demonstrating that scarcity in the wireless domain is often a matter of perspective rather than physics.
At the forefront of this transformation are Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Opportunistic Spectrum Management (OSM). These approaches challenge traditional static allocation models by enabling spectrum to be used intelligently, responsively and in harmony with existing services.
Leading this groundbreaking initiative, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Chief researcher, Prof. Luzango Mfupe, served as the project’s technical lead. “Supporting this transition has been a profound honour,” he reflects, “particularly through our collaboration with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), South Africa’s national regulatory authority, in developing a forward-looking framework for DSA and OSM within the designated innovation spectrum sub-bands of 3800-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz.” This work not only advances the technical frontier but also signals a shift in how spectrum can be leveraged to create opportunities for connectivity, innovation and inclusive growth across the country.
These frequency ranges were deliberately treated as living laboratory spaces where research, development and regulatory innovation could intersect. The goal was not simply to test new technology but to demonstrate how adaptive regulation can unlock underutilised spectrum while maintaining robust protection for incumbent services such as ‘Fixed Satellite Services’ and ‘Fixed Services’. By grounding the framework in real-world technical constraints and operational realities, the initiative moved beyond theory, laying the foundation for practical, scalable spectrum-sharing models that respond to both national priorities and local connectivity needs.
The true measure of this work emerged through implementation. In collaboration with youth- and women-led internet service providers (ISPs), AdNotes and Africaita, two distinct DSA-enabled field trial networks were successfully deployed. These trials transformed policy experimentation into lived experience, proving that inclusive innovation is most powerful when those closest to the challenge are active participants in shaping the solution. Using low-power 5G equipment configured at a 40 MHz channel width, the networks delivered high-speed broadband connectivity while operating opportunistically alongside incumbent spectrum users.
Deployment took place across a diverse set of communities, reflecting the varied connectivity realities of South Africa. Peri-urban, township and rural areas, including Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, and Inanda within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, as well as iXopo in the Harry Gwala District Municipality, became active testbeds for next-generation broadband access. Connectivity was delivered through a combination of outdoor and indoor 5G Customer Premises Equipment and 5G-enabled smartphones, ensuring that access was both technically robust and practically accessible for trial participants.
Beyond delivering broadband, the trials provided compelling evidence that harmonious spectrum coexistence is achievable in practice. DSA and OSM mechanisms enabled localised broadband networks to operate without causing harmful interference to incumbent services, validating the regulatory assumptions and technical safeguards embedded in the framework. This outcome is significant, as it shifts spectrum sharing from a conceptual promise to a demonstrated reality, reinforcing confidence in more flexible and efficient spectrum management approaches.
The broader implications extend well beyond the trial sites. These field deployments illustrate how innovative spectrum policy, when paired with emerging technologies and community-centred operators, can accelerate affordable connectivity and empower new market entrants. They also highlight the critical role of youth- and women-led ISPs in driving digital transformation at the grassroots level, bringing both innovation and inclusivity into the heart of network deployment.
As global demand for broadband continues to rise, particularly in underserved regions, the lessons from these trials offer a compelling blueprint for the future. Dynamic, data-driven spectrum access models can unlock capacity where it already exists, reduce barriers to entry, and support more resilient and equitable digital ecosystems. What began as a regulatory experiment has evolved into a tangible demonstration of what is possible when research, development and innovation are aligned with real community needs.
A short documentary capturing the journey, the technology, and the human impact of the DSA field trials can be viewed here: ICASA: Dynamic Spectrum Access council committee field trial visit. It serves as a reminder that the future of spectrum is not only dynamic, but deeply human, defined by collaboration, courage, and the shared ambition to connect everyone, everywhere.
Published 27 February 2026