{
  "id": 12361983,
  "title": "WOAN is dead but measurable interventions still imperative",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/woan-is-dead-but-measurable-interventions-still-imperative",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-06T10:34:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ITWeb",
    "slug": "itweb",
    "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/woan-is-dead-but-measurable-interventions-still-imperative/nWJadvbN3WWvbjO1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South African government has decided to abandon the Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN) model, which had been a subject of policy debate. The decision was made after seven years without the network being licensed. The WOAN was envisioned as a consortium-built network that would sell high-demand spectrum to telecom operators. This initiative aimed to foster competition in the telecom market, leading to lower data prices. However, due to its failure in Mexico and fears of a similar outcome in South Africa, the policy was officially withdrawn. Consequently, the affected spectrum is now available for licensing by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The telecom industry bodies, such as ISPA and the Association of Comms and Technology (ACT), welcome this change, asserting that the availability of new spectrum is crucial for the sector. They argue that while the WOAN proved to be a non-starter, the minister should be commended for returning the idle spectrum to ICASA. ACT CEO Nomvuyiso Batyi believes that the process of spectrum licensing should promote fair competition and support participation by smaller providers.",
  "summary": "Rolling back the reservation for a wireless open access network model brought an end to a prolonged policy impasse, but raises questions about what replaces the original objectives.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}