Page 97 - SAMENA Trends - April 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The Ministry of Telecommunications & Information secretaries of state, namely Nuno dos Anjos Caldas
Technology (Ministerio das Telecomunicacoes e Albino, Secretary of State for Mass Media, and Mario
Technologias de Informacao, MTTI) has merged with Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Secretary of State for
the Ministry of Mass Media as part of a government Telecommunications and Information Technologies.
Angola reshuffle. The newly combined ministry will have two (April 8, 2020) ANGOP

The Australian government has called for views A total of 182 new base transceiver stations (BTS) will
from stakeholders and members of the public on be delivered under the fifth round of the Australian
a proposed update of the Telecommunications in government’s AUD380 million (USD242 million)
New Developments (TIND) policy. In a press release ‘Mobile Black Spot Program’, bringing the total
Australia regarding the matter, the Department of Infrastructure, number of BTS funded under the program to 1,229. In
Transport, Regional Development and Communications a press release regarding the matter, the Department
(DITRDC) said the proposed revisions to the policy of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development
follow an initial round of public consultation that and Communications (DITRDC) noted that, together
concluded earlier this year. The DITRDC noted that the with co-contributions from the funding recipients and
government considers ‘that the main features of the state governments, ‘Round Five’ of the program will
TIND policy remain appropriate, but changes can be deliver more than AUD73 million in new infrastructure
made to improve the market’s operation and simplify investment, including AUD34 million in Commonwealth
the policy going forward’. In line with this, the primary funding. According to the regulator, to date the Mobile
changes include proposals that: developers remain Black Spot Program has enabled the construction
responsible for arranging for telecommunications of more than 800 mobile base stations across the
infrastructure, both pit and pipe and active networks, country and generated more than AUD836 million
to be installed in their developments, and for funding of new investment in mobile infrastructure. With the
it; fixed line networks should be installed as a default, Round 5 rollout expected to commence ‘shortly’, and
except where this is not reasonable, in which case the first new BTS set to be activated ‘later this year’,
fixed-wireless or satellite should be used – consistent the government has also released a discussion paper
with the proposed statutory infrastructure provider to consult on options for the design of the next round of
(SIP) legislation; and that the carrier contracted to the program. The DITRDC has noted that this upcoming
service a development should be the infrastructure round (‘Round 5A’) will use uncommitted funds from
provider for that development, consistent with the SIP ‘Round Five’ to continue to expand and improve
legislation. Further, it has been proposed that, where mobile coverage in regional and remote Australia. The
carriers other than NBN Co have end-user charges, consultation is accepting submissions until 19 June
these should be published on their websites, and the 2020. (April 21, 2020) commsupdate.com
total end-user charge for broadband and television
services should not exceed AUD500 (USD319). With In publishing position papers, the Australian Competition
regards to NBN Co specifically, meanwhile, as per the and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has outlined its
proposed update to the TIND policy, that company’s views on wholesale access terms currently being
current developer and end-user charges will be treated considered by two National Broadband Network (NBN)
as price caps, meaning it has flexibility to charge below related inquiries. However, the regulator has announced
the caps where necessary to respond to competition. that it is pausing its inquiries, which examine both
NBN Co will also be permitted to charge above the caps NBN entry-level access pricing and wholesale service
where a developer asks for additional services, such as standards, so as ‘to allow the communications sector
expedited installation. In addition, NBN Co will be free to focus on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic’.
to install competing infrastructure on a commercial According to the regulator, its position papers ‘provide
basis, but must keep records of its commercial decision the ACCC’s current views of the nature and direction
making, while access to backhaul and NBN Co’s B2B of any final access determination (FAD) that the ACCC
interface should be pursued on a commercial basis. may make, once circumstances stabilize’. With regards
Comments on the proposals have been requested by a to its NBN Wholesale Service Standards Inquiry, this
deadline of 8 June 2020. (April 27, 2020) commsupdate.com sets out the ACCC’s views on measures designed to
97 APRIL 2020