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Eswatini: 2026 Fixed Terrestrial Services Band Plan Published

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The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has published General Notice No. 3/2026, introducing the Fixed Terrestrial Services Band Plan 2026. This updated plan replaces the 2022 edition and establishes a mandatory national framework governing the use of terrestrial fixed service frequency bands in Eswatini. The revision incorporates outcomes from the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), aligns with the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan (Edition 2025), and reflects current spectrum usage across the country’s fixed services infrastructure.
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Updated Channelling Arrangements Across 22 Bands

The 2026 Band Plan provides revised channelling arrangements for 22 frequency bands allocated to fixed services in Eswatini, spanning from 1.4 GHz up to 94 GHz. Each band includes multiple channel width options to support different deployment scenarios — from long-distance rural backhaul at the lower bands to high-capacity urban links at the upper millimetre wave bands. The full list of bands covered includes:
  • 1.4 GHz (1350–1375 / 1492–1517 MHz) — low and medium capacity, long-distance links
  • 2 GHz (2025–2110 / 2200–2290 MHz) — 6 full-duplex channels at 14 MHz
  • 4 GHz (3600–4200 MHz) — 9 full-duplex channels at 30 MHz
  • 5 GHz (4400–5000 MHz) — reserved for Government use; 4 channel width options
  • 7 GHz (7110–7750 MHz) — 6 options ranging from 28 to 56 MHz channel widths
  • Lower 8 GHz (7725–8275 MHz) — options at 29.65 MHz, 59.3 MHz, and 28 MHz
  • Upper 8 GHz (8275–8500 MHz) — options at 7 MHz and 14 MHz
  • 11 GHz (10.7–11.7 GHz) — options at 28, 40, and 56 MHz
  • 13 GHz (12.75–13.25 GHz) — options at 14, 28, and 56 MHz
  • 14 GHz (14.25–14.5 GHz) — single arrangement per ITU-R F.746-11
  • 15 GHz (14.5–15.35 GHz) — options at 14, 28, and 56 MHz
  • 18 GHz (17.7–19.7 GHz) — options at 7.5 MHz and 13.75 MHz; key 4G/5G backhaul band
  • 23 GHz (21.2–23.6 GHz) — options at 28, 56, and 112 MHz; dense urban backhaul
  • 26 GHz (24.5–26.5 GHz) — options at 14, 28, 56, and 112 MHz; 5G small cell backhaul
  • 28 GHz (27.5–29.5 GHz) — options at 28, 56, and 112 MHz; urban 5G rollout
  • 31 GHz (31.0–31.3 GHz) — single arrangement per ITU-R F.746-11
  • 32 GHz (31.8–33.4 GHz) — options at 28, 56, 112, and 224 MHz
  • 38 GHz (37.0–39.5 GHz) — options at 56, 112, and 224 MHz
  • 42 GHz (40.5–43.5 GHz) — options at 56 and 112 MHz
  • 52 GHz (51.4–52.6 GHz) — 56 MHz channel width
  • 70/80 GHz (71–76 / 81–86 GHz) — options at 250 MHz and 500 MHz; multi-Gbps capable
  • 94 GHz (92.0–95.0 GHz) — TDD and FDD arrangements at 100 MHz channel width
The plan is grounded in the latest ITU-R Recommendations for each band and has been developed in alignment with CRASA’s regional harmonization objectives for the SADC region.

Removal of the 10.5 GHz Band

A notable change from the 2022 edition is the removal of the 10.5 GHz band from the plan. This follows the WRC-23 decision to identify the adjacent band for IMT use, which made continued inclusion of the 10.5 GHz band in the fixed services framework incompatible with the updated international spectrum landscape.
 

Non-Conforming Assignments and Migration Requirements

ESCCOM’s review of current frequency assignment registers identified a number of existing fixed service links that do not conform to the channelling arrangements specified in the plan. Non-conforming assignments were found across several bands, including the 7 GHz, lower and upper 8 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 23 GHz, 26 GHz, and 32 GHz bands. Affected licensees include MTN Eswatini, Eswatini Mobile, and the Eswatini Electricity Company.
 
Migration to the 2026 Band Plan is mandatory for all non-conforming assignments. While no fixed national migration timeline has been prescribed, ESCCOM will coordinate migration progressively with individual licensees, taking into account interference management, spectrum efficiency, network requirements, and implementation considerations. All new frequency assignments must comply with the 2026 channelling arrangements from the date of adoption and are subject to prior coordination and approval by the Commission.

Spectrum Assignment Approach

ESCCOM is implementing the plan using a per-link assignment regime, where each fixed link is licensed individually rather than through a nationwide spectrum block. However, licensees making extensive use of a particular frequency range may apply for exclusive use over a defined geographic area, referred to as a sterilized area, if it is more operationally efficient to do so.

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