ETHIOPIA: Comprehensive Spectrum Management Review for the Telecommunications Sector

The lack of a spectrum management system made it very difficult for the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) to undertake a quick turnaround of frequency assignments that are likely to be required by the new mobile operator Safaricom and Ethio Telecom as they continue to roll out their network. Through this PPIAF’s support, ECA is now equipped with the capacity to monitor and manage the spectrum. The ECA undertook spectrum monitoring work for an up-to-date list of FM broadcast frequencies in use (with locations and radiated power) to be established. This support also facilitated the identification of the necessary requirements to effectively regulate a competitive telecom sector and any new policy reforms necessary to ensure the recommendations from the spectrum review are effective.