The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA) for an additional three years.
The extension follows an agreement signed by the two entities in 2020 which aims to create a framework for the coordination and collaboration on the award of Aeronautical Radio Frequency Spectrum, the issuance of Aeronautical Radio Station Licences and Radio Telephony Licences for pilots, flight engineers and air traffic service personnel, in accordance with national and international standards, practices and regulations.
“The MoU asserts that NCAA’s Personnel Licensing Department (PEL) shall be assigned the responsibility of overseeing aviation radio telephony training and examinations, including the appointment and oversight of qualified personnel to carry out training and examinations,” said CRAN’s Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations Katrina Sikeni.
Sikeni further explained that the NCAA’s PEL will then issue a recommendation to CRAN for the purpose of issuing an aviation radio telephony certificate together with the examination test results.
According to Sikena, the regulatory authority will also issue aeronautical frequency spectrum and radiotelephony licenses to applicants in line with its licensing procedures.
The Frequency Band Plan for the aeronautical radio frequency spectrum will undergo review in order to determine whether it is in accordance with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Radio Communication Conference (WRC), after which it will be published for public record.
“CRAN will issue Type Approval Certificates to importers of avionic communications equipment, in line with the regulations in respect of Type Approval and Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment,” Sikena further stated.
CRAN will also ensure 5G implementation secure tilt down and precaution zones are applied at airports.
The MoU is subject to a review by both parties every three years, in order to measure compliance, share concerns and deliberate and introduce any possible new measures to aid in the further facilitation and implementation.
