Grants Radio 702 FM two frequencies
27 March 2006
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has granted 702
Talk Radio two FM frequency bands, namely 92.7 MHz in Johannesburg and 106.0
MHZ in Pretoria. The migration from Medium Wave (MW) to Frequency Modulation
(FM) bands should see the Gauteng-based Talk Radio Station with a better signal
reception for its listeners.
The two FM frequencies have been spare capacity assigned for use by
commercial sound broadcasting services in the Terrestrial Broadcasting
Frequency Plan as published annually by the Authority.
In assigning FM frequencies to Radio 702, ICASA also granted Primedia
Broadcasting (Pty) Ltd (Primedia) an exemption to own and control three FM
radio stations and two that operate in similar or substantially overlapping
licence areas. Primedia also owns and controls Highveld Stereo broadcasting on
94.7 FM in Johannesburg, KFM broadcasting on 94.5 FM in the Western Cape and
Cape Talk broadcasting on 567 MW in the Western Cape.
The Independent Broadcasting Authority Act of 1993 forbids any entity from
owning and controlling two FM radio stations in the same coverage area. The
revised limitations on ownership and control of commercial sound broadcasting
services have been referred to the Ministry of Communications for tabling in
parliament.
ICASA has also granted Radio 702 a double illumination period of twelve
months, where the station would operate on both the old AM frequencies, as well
as the newly assigned FM frequencies. The double illumination period serves to
allow for operational and marketing activities to facilitate the transition
from AM to FM.
ICASA believes that granting of the two FM frequencies to Radio 702 would
encourage fair competition between licensees, promote stability of the
broadcasting sector, promote programming diversity and promote development of
the commercial broadcasting services as well as the efficient use of the
broadcasting frequency bands.
The process to amend Radio 702âs licence commenced when Primedia lodged an
amendment application with the Authority in June 2005. This was followed by an
open public hearing that allowed interested stakeholders to respond and make
written and oral submissions in the licence amendment application process.
The detailed Reasons for Decision document in respect of the Radio 702
amendment application can be accessed at the ICASA library in Sandton, and on
the ICASA.
Enquired:
Jubie Matlou
Tel: (011) 321 8230
Cell: 082 376 0015
Issued by: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
27 March 2006
Source: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (http://www.icasa.org.za)
