Page 108 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

Argentina has extended a price freeze for mobile, without government approval. Argentina has already
broadband and pay-TV services until the end of the frozen prices on a further 2,000 consumer goods it
year, deeming them ‘essential public services’. Prices also deems essential. The article notes that inflation is
for the services in question have been frozen since May, running at 42% annually, and the nationwide lockdown
Argentina with the ban set to expire at the end of this month. The to curb the spread of COVID-19 has only served to
freeze means providers will not be able to raise prices deepen the economic contraction. (August 25, 2020) Bloomberg

With the Australian Communications and Media monopolized by any one operator.’
Authority (ACMA) planning to make spectrum (August 15, 2020) commsupdate.com
available in the 26GHz and 28GHz mmWave bands
‘for 5G applications and for fixed satellite services’, Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Australia it is now consulting on the introduction of area-wide Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC)
apparatus licenses (AWLs) across both bands. The has announced that it is now accepting applications for
new concession type has been created ‘in response the Alternative Voice Services Trials (AVST) program.
to changes in Australia’s spectrum landscape’, and In a press release regarding the development, the
includes: the ‘area-wide’ type for transmitter licenses; regulator noted that AVST is designed to provide grants
and the ‘area-wide receive’ type for receive licenses. to organizations to trial different ways to deliver voice
In a press release, the ACMA said that it was also services in rural and remote areas of Australia. It added
consulting on new arrangements for ongoing access that the objective of the trials is ‘to identify new ways
to 27GHz–30GHz frequencies by fixed-satellite service to deliver voice services, including by new providers
(FSS) earth stations. Under the proposed arrangements, and technologies, and assess their effectiveness to
it has claimed that satellite users will benefit from provide improved services and functionality’. Trials will
additional access to spectrum. The development reportedly be delivered within NBN Co’s fixed-wireless
comes in the wake of the ACMA’s consultation on and satellite footprints, including those serviced by
the draft legislative instruments for the country’s Telstra’s high-capacity radio concentrator (HCRC)
upcoming sale of spectrum in the 26GHz band, which network, and a total of AUD2 million (USD1.4 million)
closed earlier this month. This latest consultation is in funding is being made available for the trials, as
accepting submissions until 16 September 2020. part of the AUD220 million ‘Stronger Regional Digital
(August 21, 2020) commsupdate.com Connectivity Package’. Applications are being accepted
until the 14 September 2020 deadline.
Allocation limits have now been set for Australia’s (August 4, 2020) commsupdate.com
planned auction of 5G-suitable spectrum in the 26GHz
band, which is scheduled to take place in March The Australian government called for operators, regional
2021. Announcing the development, communications communities and all levels of officialdom to collaborate
minister Paul Fletcher confirmed that he had directed and apply for AUD53 million ($37.8 million) in funding
the Australian Communications and Media Authority allocated to improve rural connectivity. In a statement,
(ACMA) to implement a cap of 1GHz on the amount of Minister for Communications, Cybersafety and the Arts
spectrum any one entity can obtain in the sale process. Paul Fletcher said the Regional Connectivity Program
This direction was made via the ‘Radiocommunications will provide targeted investment in local telecoms
(Spectrum License Limits–26GHz Band) Direction infrastructure projects to maximize economic and
2020’, dated 9 August 2020, and commenting on the social opportunities in regional, rural and remote
matter, Mr. Fletcher said: ‘I have directed the [ACMA] communities. Minister for Regional Communications
to set allocation limits of 1GHz. This decision was Mark Coulton said applicants should work together to
informed by advice and analysis from the Australian develop projects for funding to maximize the benefits
Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and for communities. “Collaboration is an excellent method
aligns with the government’s communications policy to give an application real bite. We are looking for
objectives. Success in the mobile market ultimately projects that will provide the most profound benefit to
depends on access to spectrum. Applying allocation local communities, and by joining forces I’m confident
limits means that the 26GHz spectrum cannot be we will see many great solutions come from the bush”.

108 AUGUST 2020