Page 106 - SAMENA Trends - April 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Singtel and a joint venture between StarHub and awarded through a call for proposal. Tan said it received
M1 were awarded licenses to build two nationwide three proposals, with the winners selected based on a
standalone (SA) 5G networks, with rollouts expected to comprehensive assessment of how their manifestos
start in January 2021. The winners were each allocated would deliver the best outcomes for businesses and
Singapore 100MHz of 3.5GHz spectrum and will be required to consumers in Singapore. TPG Telecom, which won
cover at least half of Singapore by end-2022, then
a spectrum auction open only to new entrants in
provide up to nationwide coverage by end-2025, December 2016 and recently launched service, was
the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) the other bidder. IMDA said the joint venture between
stated. Singapore will be among the first countries in StarHub and M1 will deploy and own key parts of the
the world to launch SA networks. The government held 5G network, leasing access to the two operators which
off releasing 5G spectrum until this year in order to will continue to operate separately and provide retail
move straight to the SA version from the start. Other services to customers. The nationwide 5G networks will
operators will have access to the networks through be supplemented by localized mmWave deployments
wholesale arrangements. Tan Kiat How, CEO of IMDA, providing high-capacity hotspots, allowing all
said: “The ongoing COVID-19 situation underscores operators, including TPG Telecom and MVNOs, to offer
the criticality of a robust digital infrastructure and the next-generation services. Singtel, StarHub and M1 also
importance of timely investments to meet our national will each be assigned 800MHz of mmWave spectrum.
connectivity needs.” The nationwide 5G licenses were (April 30, 2020) mobileworldlive.com

Slovakia’s Office for Regulation of Electronic The Regulatory Office (Regulacny Urad, RU) has invited
Communications & Postal Services (Regulacny Urad, applications for its planned auction of 5G-capable
RU) is planning to push ahead with an auction of spectrum in the 700MHz band as well as frequencies in
5G-capable spectrum in order to comply with an EU the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands. 2×30MHz is available
Slovakia deadline. The EU requires member states to have at 700MHz, with operators limited to 2×15MHz each.
The spectrum will be sold in 2×5MHz blocks, with each
allocated spectrum in the 700MHz band by 30 June
2020 and the RU recently announced a sale of licenses carrying a reserve price of EUR16 million (USD17.5
in this band along with spare 900MHz and 1800MHz million). There are no frequencies reserved for the
frequencies. While some countries have postponed SWAN Mobile/4ka, the smallest of the country’s four
spectrum auctions during the COVID-19 crisis, Zive. existing mobile network operators (MNOs); it had been
sk cites the Slovak regulator as saying that it will speculated that the market’s newest player could have
stick with its timetable in order to meet the EU target. spectrum reserved as it currently has no frequencies
Operators have until 25 May to apply to take part in in the sub-1GHz range. The 700MHz licenses will
the auction. Local cellcos are, however, calling on the be valid for 20 years. Winning 700MHz bidders must
regulator to reduce some of the financial burden on cover 95% of the population of every county town by
winning bidders. A spokesperson for market leader end-2025 and 90% of the population outside county
Orange is quoted as saying: ‘In the current crisis towns by 2027, with 70% of the overall population to be
related to the coronavirus pandemic, we consider it covered by 5G by end-2027. 900MHz spectrum carries
important to set the most flexible terms in terms of a reserve price of EUR840,000 for a 2×4.2MHz block
payment per license, given that operators’ funds will and frequencies must be utilized within six months of
be under pressure from crisis management measures acquisition, while the 1800MHz licenses have a reserve
at the same time.’ Smallest player 4ka, meanwhile, has price of EUR550,000 for each of the three 3MHz blocks
said it would welcome a postponement and a change on offer, with a requirement to use them within twelve
to the terms of the auction, with the regulator awarding months. These licenses are valid until end-2025.
spectrum to cellcos at minimum prices to ensure the Applications are open for all licenses until 25 May.
rapid deployment of 5G services. (April 2, 2020) commsupdate.com
(April 20, 2020) commsupdate.com

106 APRIL 2020