1.1. This document is provided in terms of section 34(2)(b)(ii) of the Telecommunications Act, 1996 (Act No. 103 of 1996) ("the Act") and clause 3 of the "Invitation to Apply for One Mobile Cellular Telecommunication Service Licence in terms of section 34(2)(a)(ii) of the Telecommunications Act, 1996" ("Invitation to Apply") published under Notice 314 of 1999 in Government Gazette 19806 dated 26 February 1999.

1.2. This document includes the following information:

2.1. Technology

While certain technologies are to be preferred, a particular mobile cellular telecommunication service technology is not mandated. Preferred technologies are those which allow a wide choice of customer equipment, are widely accepted in other national markets, are electro-magnetically compatible with existing frequency spectrum users and are capable of transition to the provision of third generation services.

2.2. Frequency Assignment

While there is no specific limitation on the frequencies to be assigned, it is unlikely that more than 2 x 10 MHZ of frequency spectrum will be assigned to the successful applicant.

2.3. Coverage

It is expected that service coverage must provide for a significant proportion of South Africans, including those in currently under-serviced areas, particularly areas in which previously disadvantaged communities and rural communities are located.

2.4. Services

It is expected that the mobile cellular telecommunication service to be offered must be comprehensive and will include at a minimum, mobile voice telephone services, data services, emergency services, directory services and operator-assisted services, on a non-discriminatory basis.

1.1. The following licence conditions are those currently envisaged by the Minister. The Minister, however, will consider any conditions suggested by the Authority if and when the Authority makes a recommendation to the Minister to grant an application in terms of section 35(2)(b)(i) read with section 35(4) of the Act.

1.2. In terms of section 37(2)(d) of the Act, the licence shall contain a condition prohibiting the mobile cellular telecommunication service, until a date to be fixed by the Minister by notice in the Government Gazette, from utilising any fixed lines which may be required for the provision of the service, other than fixed lines made available by Telkom or any other person providing a public switched telecommunication service, subject to the Act, in particular section 44 of the Act.

2.1. The structure of the application submitted to the Authority in terms of the Invitation to Apply shall be as follows:

2.2. The Application Form to be followed is published herewith.

2.3. Applicants are encouraged to be brief in submitting relevant information unless otherwise requested and applicants are discouraged from submitting superfluous information.

2.4. In preparing applications, regard should be had to, among other matters, the enquiry initiated by the Authority with regard to the economic feasibility of the provision of more than two mobile cellular telecommunication service licenses in Notice 563 of 1998 in Government Gazette 18799 dated 30 March 1998 and notice of findings in Notice 1526 of 1998 in Government Gazette 19115 dated 31 July 1998.

2.5. In submitting information regarding ownership and control, regard should be had to, among other matters,

2.6. In submitting information regarding charges for services, regard should be had to, among other matters,

2.7. In submitting information regarding financial projections, regard should be had to, among other matters,

2.8. In submitting information regarding frequency requirements, regard should be had to, among other matters,

2.9. In submitting information regarding interconnection and facilities leasing, regard should be had to, among other matters,

2.10. In submitting information regarding number portability, regard shall be had to, among other matters, a request for comment by the Authority on a draft discussion paper on the future of telecommunications numbering in South Africa in Notice 198 of 1999 in Government Gazette 19786 dated 20 February 1999.

2.11. In submitting information regarding universal access and universal service obligations, regard should be had to, among other matters,

3.1. Interested persons may submit questions of clarification concerning this document, the Application Form and the Invitation to Apply to the Minister which shall be hand delivered to the Minister by no later than three weeks from the release of this document, care of The Project Manager, Invitation to Apply for One Mobile Cellular Telecommunication Service Licence, Ministry for Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Room 212, Nkululeko House, iParioli Office Park, 399 Duncan Street, Hatfield, Pretoria. Persons are encouraged to submit questions of clarification as soon as possible. Questions of clarification about this document, the Application Form or the Invitation to Apply may not be directed to the Authority.

3.2. At any time before two weeks after the deadline mentioned in 6.1 above, the Minister will make available documents setting out questions which the Minister considers necessary to answer in order to ensure the fairness of the process, together with the answers to such questions. Notice of such documents will be published in the Government Gazette.

3.3. Neither the Minister, the Department of Communications nor the Authority will entertain ex parte contacts with regard to this document, the Application Form, the Invitation to Apply or any other matter related to the proceedings for applications for one mobile cellular telecommunication service licence initiated by the Invitation to Apply. Questions about any other matter related to the proceedings for applications for one mobile cellular telecommunication service licence initiated by the Invitation to Apply should not be directed to the Minister, but to the Authority in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Authority.

3.4. After the submission of applications in terms of the Invitation to Apply, the Authority will consider all applications in terms of the Act and regulations, in particular in terms of section 34 and section 35 of the Act. Thereafter, in terms of section 35(2)(b)(i), the Authority may either refuse an application or make a recommendation to the Minister that the Minister grant the application conditionally and suggest conditions for the Minister to impose.

3.5. Thereafter, in terms of section 35(2)(b)(i) read with section 35(4) of the Act, the Minister may either refuse the application recommended by the Authority to be granted, grant the application and impose the conditions suggested by the Authority, grant the application and impose other conditions or grant the application unconditionally.

3.6. If the Minister grants the application, the Authority must issue a licence in terms of section 35(5) of the Act. In such event, the licensee will then be required to apply to the Authority in terms of section 30(3)(b) of the Act for a frequency licence.