Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - April 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

concerned, as the 2.6GHz band is close to the band spectrum in the 700MHz band on its fixed line home
it uses to provide coverage for air traffic controllers, broadband services.
according to a report by SP Global. Virgin Media uses (April 12, 2020) itp.net

Latvian telecoms watchdog the Public Utilities airwaves. The SPRK is planning to divide the spectrum
Commission (Sabiedrisko Pakalpojumu Regulesanas into the following three lots, each of which would have
Komisija, SPRK) has published a public consultation a starting price of EUR1 million (USD1.1 million):
document on the conditions for the planned auction 1. 703MHz-713MHz, 738MHz-743MHz and 758MHz-
768MHz (25MHz total)
Latvia of spectrum in the 700MHz band. The tender will 2. 713MHz-723MHz, 743MHz-748MHz and 768MHz-
comprise spectrum in the 703MHz-733MHz/738MHz-
788MHz range, which will be available for mobile 778MHz (25MHz total)
communications from 1 January 2022. The SPRK notes 3. 723MHz-733MHz, 748MHz-758MHz, and 778MHz-
that the spectrum will gradually become available 788MHz (30MHz total).
during a transition period between 1 January 2022 and The regulator is accepting comments on its proposals
30 June 2022, as TV broadcasters cease use of the until 25 May 2020. (April 28, 2020) commsupdate.com

The government has announced new investment in to rural households that are currently without access
rural broadband network capacity, which it hopes will to the internet, and means remote communities will be
‘help lift the development and wellbeing of isolated much better equipped to get going again when we exit
communities as New Zealand’s economy recovers lockdown,’ Broadcasting, Communications and Digital
New Zealand from COVID-19’. Up to NZD15 million (USD9.06 million) Media Minister Kris Faafoi said in a press release. He
in savings from the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative added that while the government’s Rural Broadband
(UFB) initiative has been allocated to upgrade existing Initiative aims to provide access to 99.8% of the
rural mobile towers, improve wireless backhaul population by the end of 2021, this work will bring
between remote sites and central networks, and forward capacity upgrades to meet demand in isolated
install external antennae to households to improve regions during the pandemic.
coverage. ‘This investment brings broadband services (April 29, 2020) commsupdate.com

The government of Niger has announced it has 3G concessions has been set at XOF28.4 billion. In
awarded a 15-year license for the establishment and November 2019 France’s Orange Group completed the
operation of a 4G network to Zamani Com, the new sale of its entire 95.5% stake in Orange Niger to Zamani
owner of mobile operator Orange Niger. At the same Com, after the transaction received approval from the
Niger time, the cellco’s existing 2G and 3G licenses have relevant authorities. Zamani Com is wholly owned by
been renewed for a further 15 years. Orange will pay businessmen Mohamed Rissa of Rimbo Invest and
a total of XOF12 billion (USD19.7 million) for the new Moctar Thiam, both already minority shareholders of
LTE license, while the price of renewing its 2G and Orange Niger. (April 7, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has not yet been deployed in the country. The Minister
confirmed that Nigeria has successfully completed of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Ali
its 5G trials. While reiterating that 5G is not yet Ibrahim Pantami, said that the Council had not released
operational in Nigeria, the communications industry any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.
Nigeria regulator said that it had approved the trialing of the He added that no license had been issued in Nigeria for

technology in 2019, completed in collaboration with the deployment of the technology. The NCC said that
the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy 5G would transform the world by efficiently connecting
and MTN Nigeria. At the same time, the NCC added everything with everybody. The organization stated
that it had issued a statement in response to the widely that the deployment of 5G in Nigeria would create
circulating conspiracies regarding 5G and coronavirus millions of jobs and add billions of dollars to the
(COVID-19). The regulator said that there is no link economy (GDP).
between 5G and COVID-19, but assured that 5G had (April 9, 2020) itweb.africa

102 APRIL 2020