Page 116 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Iliad filed a request in April. Meanwhile, Telecom Italia 2100MHz TDD frequency permits will not be renewed
(TIM), Vodafone and Wind Tre have had their 2100MHz since the operators have failed to use them.
FDD licenses extended for the same duration, though (August 3, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications switch service provider, but the MIC believes there is
(MIC) is reportedly considering moves to bar mobile no justification for the fee which acts as a bar to stop
network operators (MNOs) from charging customers users from porting their number. It plans to draw up
for moving to another service provider via the country’s its recommendations to amend the MNP regime – first
Japan mobile number portability (MNP) regime. The Ministry introduced in October 2006 – with the tentative aim
will review its MNP guidelines with a view to making
of removing the fee as early as autumn 2020. With
it easier for consumers to switch carrier and hopefully the move likely to face opposition from the incumbent
trigger a fall in mobile phone charges. Currently, MNOs, it is noted that MNP requests currently languish
Japan’s established MNOs NTT DOCOMO, KDDI at less than five million per annum – or just 2.7% of the
(au) and SoftBank Corp, as well as budget carriers/ total wireless subscriber base.
MVNOs levy a fee of JPY3,000 (USD28) on requests to (July 21, 2020) The Japan Times

The State Communications Agency (SCA) has The SCA – a subordinate agency of the State Committee
launched an auction for wireless spectrum licenses for Information Technology & Communications –
in the 2300MHz-2400MHz TDD band in all regions confirmed that registration for the auction is open
across the country except the capital Bishkek and until the following dates: 3 September (lot one); 4
Kyrgyzstan second largest city Osh. Concessions are valid for ten September (lot two); 7 September (lot three). The
auctions themselves will take place on: 4 September
years, with combined starting bids valued at KGS60.92
million (USD784,000). (lot one); 7 September (lot two); and 8 September (lot
The SCA’s website shows that the spectrum on offer is three). Applicants must pay a guarantee deposit of 5%
split into three lots as follows: of the starting price for each lot. Separately, news site
• Lot one: 1×40MHz (2300MHz-2340MHz) in all Tazabek reported that Kyrgyzstan’s government has
regions except Bishkek and Osh; starting price approved new regulations to tighten up the network
KGS82.450 million interconnection framework. Under the new rules
• Lot two: 1×20MHz (2380MHz-2400MHz) in all operators designated as dominant market position
regions except Bishkek and Osh; starting price holders must accept interconnection requests on a
KGS41.225 million non-discriminatory basis and may only reject such
• Lot three: 1×40MHz (2340MHz-2380MHz) in requests if technically impossible.
Batken, Talas and Naryn regions only; starting price (August 21, 2020) commsupdate.com
KGS19.691 million.

Luxembourg’s Department of Media, and Luxembourg Online 10MHz. Eltrona, the fifth
Telecommunications and Digital Policy (Services des qualified bidder, participated in the auction but failed
Medias et des Communications, SMC) has announced to win any spectrum. The auction began on 13 July
that four bidders have secured 5G frequencies in the and ended five days later after 38 rounds of bidding,
Luxembourg recent 700MHz and 3600MHz spectrum auction, according to the Luxembourg Institute of Regulation
(Institut Luxembourgeois de Regulation, ILR). The
paying a total of EUR41.3 million (USD47.8 million).
In the 700MHz band (703MHz-733MHz/758MHz- 15-year licenses, which are renewable at least once
788MHz), Orange, Post and Proximus were each for a period of five years, are subject to a number of
awarded one of the three available lots of 2×10MHz. In coverage obligations which aim to ensure 5G services
the 3600MHz band (3420MHz-3750MHz), where a total are available in the Luxembourg municipality by the
of 330MHz was up for auction, Orange and Post each end of 2020 and nationwide no later than 2025.
secured 110MHz of frequencies, Proximus 100MHz (July 23, 2020) commsupdate.com

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