Rain Networks secured 2x10MHz in the 700MHz band and 10MHz in the 2.6GHz band, paying $79.2 million while Telkom won 2x10MHz in the 800MHz band for $99.1 million.
The two winning operators and Cell C were the only bidders in the opt-in phase of the auction, although Cell C did not come away with spectrum.
Keabetswe Modeimoeng, chairperson of ICASA said: “History has been made this morning and we are highly grateful to the participants during this phase.
“As stated in the Invitation To Apply, there can only be two winners this time around, and we encourage those who did not make it to continue supporting this process as it only meant to benefit the country and its citizens.
The main phase of the spectrum auction is set to occur today with larger players Vodacom and MTN taking part and looking to secure frequencies in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2,600MHZ and 3,500MHz bands.
ICASA has reaffirmed that there is no “legal impediment” to the auction proceeding despite several operators taking the regulator to court in regards to disputes over temporarily allocated spectrum.
