The DRC joins the African Telecommunications Union (ATU)

Kinshasa April 26^th, 2021 (CPA).- The Democratic Republic of Congo joined the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and joined 45 (forty-five) other African countries and telecommunications stakeholders, to launch the first set of recommendations of the spectrum of the African Union (AU), indicates a document of this regional organization received Saturday at the CPA. The document notes that, in Africa today, a limited amount of spectrum is allocated to the mobile industry as well as to other communication sectors, to facilitate the transmission of wireless signals. The spectrum recommendations launched highlight the importance of allocating radio spectrum in African countries in a timely, predictable and cost-effective manner, in order to support the provision of affordable information and communication technology (ICT) services. and high quality, and stimulate smart technology initiatives. The source notes that the recommendations also establish the idea that licenses should be technologically neutral and allow service innovations. The new spectrum recommendations further encourage African countries to allow spectrum sharing by giving licensees the right to voluntarily share their spectrum through various means such as trade and national roaming agreements. In addition, the document continues, African countries, through the recommendations, are urged to adopt a licensing approach aimed at promoting the right mix of low, medium and high band radio spectrum. This approach aims to ensure access to communications service providers in quantities and types of spectrum allowing the development of a variety of use cases.