Licensing
The Commission handles licensing for various communications services, including broadcast radio and television, wireless communication, and more.
Standard Terms and Conditions
The Electronic Communications Act 2013 and the Electronic Communications (Licensing) Regulations 2016 confers upon the Commission the responsibility and mandate to process applications for and issue General licenses and Individual licenses as spelt out in Part II of the regulations.
Section 35(1) of the ECA provides that “a person shall not use a radio frequency spectrum that has not specifically been allocated to that person through a license issued by the Commission in accordance with the National radio frequency plan”. Further, the Regulation 6(1) provide that “a person shall not possess, establish, install or use any radio communications station which requires licensing under these Regulations in any place or on board any local vessel, aircraft or vehicle, unless that person has a valid license granted by the Commission”
Part IV of the Regulations provides that “a licensee who has been assigned frequency bands for use shall maintain and provide, at the Commission’s request, an inventory of the assigned frequency bands”.
Radio Licensing
The radio license shall be valid for a period of twelve months from the date of issue. The applicant shall apply for renewal at least thirty (30) days before date of expiry.
In accordance with the Electronic Communications Act, this radio license may be revoked by the Commission should the licensee cease to meet the provisions of any of these terms or conditions attached to the radio license, or cease to use the licensed equipment and/or spectrum for the purposes set out in the radio license.
The licensee shall within six months from the date of issue of the license commence operations in default of which the license shall lapse. The Authority may, subject to the provisions of the Electronic Communications Act, amend, suspend or withdraw the license.
The licensee shall not operate any radio equipment that causes undue interference to other existing radio services. The licensee shall provide services within the allocated frequency band.
The licensee shall pay license fees as provided for in the Electronic Communications Act and the regulations issued there under.
The Licensee shall not use any of the frequencies allocated in the radio license upon expiry of the license. Any use of the frequencies after expiry is illegal.
The Licensee shall not transfer, cede, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or encumber a license without the prior approval of the Commission.
The Radio station shall be operated for the sole purpose of receiving and or transmitting messages and shall only communicate with such stations as authorized by the Commission. The mode, frequency, transmission power, location and Area of operation shall be as specified in the Table below.
Table: Frequency Usage Schedule
No. Parameter
- Assigned/Allotted Frequency
- Necessary Bandwidth
- Emission Type
- Modulation Scheme
- Channelling
- Radiated Power
- Selectivity
- Sensitivity
- Frequency Tolerance
- Spurious Radiation
- Type of Antenna
- Location Of Switching Centre
- Area Of Operation
The Licensee shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that its station and equipment do not interfere with the efficient operation of other licensed stations.
The Licensee shall use the frequencies allocated or assigned to the licensee in a rational, efficient and economic manner.
The allocation or assignment of the frequency or frequencies shall not be construed as conferring an exclusive right in respect of such frequency or frequencies.
The erection of radio station(s) shall:
- be subject to the approval of the Commission.
- be carried out in accordance with the Act and relevant Regulations.
- be subject to such further restrictions & conditions as other Laws currently in force in the Kingdom of Eswatini may impose.
The Authority may require the licensee to share a frequency with another licensee, on such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Commission.
In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this ACT and the terms and conditions of any license or assignment, the Commission shall carryout inspections and may appoint such telecommunications Officers as may be necessary for that purpose.
Spectrum Licensing
One of the responsibilities of the Spectrum planning and management is the authorization of service providers for the use of national frequency spectrum in the Kingdom of Eswatini. This includes new licenses and renewal of licenses.
| Frequency Spectrum Band | Bandwidth (MHz) |
|---|---|
| GSM 900 Core | 10 |
| 1800MHz multiband | 10 |
| 2100MHz UMTS/3G Core Band | 10 |
| 2300MHz | 10 |
