BROADCASTING SERVICES ACT [CHAPTER 12:06] (as at 11th January 2008) FIRST SCHEDULE (Sections 3 (2)(a) and 10 (1)) PLANNING OF BROADCASTING SERVICE BANDS Interpretation 1. In this Schedule⎯ “broadcasting service bands licence” means a commercial or community television broadcasting licence or a commercial radio broadcasting licence that licenses the use of the broadcasting service bands as a means of delivering broadcasting services; “frequency allotment plan” means a plan prepared in terms of paragraph 4; “International Telecommunication Union” means the International Telecommunication Union constituted by the International Telecommunication Constitution; “licence area” means a defined geographical area in respect of which a person may be licensed to provide any specified class of broadcasting service; “licence area plan” means a plan prepared in terms of paragraph 5. Planning criteria 2. In performing its functions under this Act, the Authority, as the sole manager of all broadcasting service bands, shall promote the objects of this Act, having particular regard to the economic and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum, and to the following⎯ (a) demographics; and (b) social and economic characteristics within the licence area, within neighbouring licence areas and within Zimbabwe generally; and (c) the number of existing broadcasting services and the demand for new broadcasting services within the licence area, within neighbouring licence areas and within Zimbabwe generally; and (d) developments in technology; and (e) technical restraints relating to the delivery or reception of broadcasting services; and (f) the use of the radio frequency spectrum for services other than broadcasting services; and (g) International Telecommunication Union standards and practices; and (h) future demand for broadcasting service bands; and (i) such other matters as the Authority considers relevant. Authority to determine priorities 3.(1) Before preparing frequency allotment plans or licence area plans, the Authority shall, by notice published in the Gazette, determine priorities, as between particular areas of Zimbabwe and as between different parts of the broadcasting services bands, for the preparation of those plans. In making its determination under this paragraph, the Authority shall take into account the populations of the particular areas. (2) The Authority may, by notice in the Gazette, vary priorities. Preparation of frequency allotment plans 4.(1) The Postal and Telecommunications Authority shall allocate all frequencies for the purposes of broadcasting services to the Authority, and the Authority shall manage and allocate the frequencies for all broadcasting systems or services in Zimbabwe. (2) After the Postal and Telecommunications Authority has referred a part of the - 42 -