Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has issued a stern warning to individuals and companies holding frequency authorizations without using them, stating that the government will revoke such licenses if they remain inactive after two years.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s New Day, the Minister emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the terms of the frequency authorization agreement.
“When you are given the frequency authorization, it is for five years but the authorization is clear that you must go operational and live in 2 years,” he explained.
He stressed that failure to meet this requirement would lead to automatic forfeiture of the authorization.
“If you had the frequency for more than two years and you’ve not gone live, we are retrieving all of that, consider it that you have lost it,” he warned.
Sam George further underscored that the policy is non-negotiable and is aimed at preventing the hoarding of state assets that could be put to productive use.
“You cannot hold state assets in abeyance because the terms are clear. When you were coming for the license, you were told to go live in two years and there’s nothing anybody can do about it,” he said.
He made it clear that dormant licenses would be revoked and reassigned to applicants who are ready and able to meet the operational requirements.
“We’ll terminate them and make them available to people who are willing to go live and respect the terms of the frequency authorization,” he stated.
