Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Agency for Regulation of Technology and 5G services in Madagascar are still in the testing
Communication (Autorite de Regulation des stage, ARTEC stressed that it was a condition of the
Technologies de Communications, ARTEC) has authorization that all tests were to be conducted
announced it ordered Telecom Malagasy (Telma) within an enclosed building, ‘whereas the operator
to suspend its 5G services and place all antennas performed trials on more than ten outdoor sites
Madagascar under seal with effect from 20 July. The regulator without prior notification’. As previously reported by
said in a press statement that ‘Telma went ahead TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, Telma switched on
with a commercial launch of 5G despite being aware a commercial 5G network supplied by Ericsson in the
the temporary authorization – which is valid for just capital Antananarivo and the city of Toamasina on 26
a month – granted by the regulatory authority in no June.
way authorizes services to be marketed’. Noting that (July 27, 2020) commsupdate.com

Operators spent a combined €1.2 billion in the Joost Farwerck added it had acquired an “attractive
Netherlands’ first 5G auction, with KPN and T-Mobile combination of frequency licenses” at “a reasonable
Netherlands poised to join rival VodafoneZiggo in price, considering the minimum price set by the
offering services on the new network technology. government”. T-Mobile won 20MHz of 700MHz and
The In separate statements, KPN and VodafoneZiggo 10MHz in the 1400 MHz band. It also retained 40MHz
revealed they spent €416 million apiece and were
of 2100MHz already held. Although the operator
Netherlands both satisfied with the result. T-Mobile splashed €400 bemoaned the high starting price, it noted it paid “a
million and, although also pleased with its allocation, considerable amount, but considerably less than the
complained the starting price set by the government competition”. The operator plans to launch 5G services
had been too high. KPN and VodafoneZiggo were both as soon as the licenses are received, while KPN said
allocated 20MHz of 700MHz; 15MHz of 1400MHz; its network was “soon to launch”. As part of the terms
and 40MHz in the 2100MHz band. VodafoneZiggo, of the auction, the operators have been set a number
which launched 5G in April using its existing spectrum of conditions, including covering 98 per cent of each
assets, noted the allocation would enhance its current municipality, along with minimum speed requirements
offer, while KPN said it planned to “immediately for businesses and consumers. All licenses are valid
increase mobile data speeds” for its 4G customers until 2041. A second Dutch 5G auction is planned for
in addition to a next-generation launch. KPN CEO early 2022. (July 22, 2020) mobileworldlive.com

The New Zealand government has announced that Manawatu-Wanganui, Auckland rural areas and
high speed fiber networks built under the Ultra-Fast Otago, and thirdly Hawkes Bay, West Coast, Taranaki,
Broadband (UFB) program now pass more than one Wellington (rural), and Southland. In particular it aims
million households and businesses. ‘This milestone to increase availability in high density rural and urban
New Zealand has been ten years in the making and demonstrates fringe areas that experienced congestion and capacity
the popularity of the UFB network,’ Broadcasting, constraints during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris (August 6, 2020) commsupdate.com
Faafoi said, adding: ‘Uptake on the network is now
at 58.9%, which significantly exceeds expectations New Zealand’s Commerce Commission is inviting
back when the UFB program was first developed.’ The feedback on its consultation package for the
Ministry noted that UFB networks were available to development of input methodologies for the regulation
83% of the population at end-June. In related news, the of fiber fixed line access services. The Commission
government has announced that NZD50 million (USD33 published its draft decisions late last year and has
million) has been allocated for further rural broadband decided to consult further on a limited number of
connectivity from the NZD3 billion earmarked for issues after reviewing submissions and cross-
infrastructure in the country’s COVID Response and submissions. The Commission is also publishing a
Recovery Fund. The investment in ‘shovel ready’ separate, second consultation paper on changes it is
projects, which is in addition to the NZD15 million considering to its approach to valuing the financial
announced in late April to upgrade rural mobile towers, loss asset. Any changes would involve adopting a
is intended to boost broadband access and capacity discounted cash flow approach to valuation and
across most regions of New Zealand, with an emphasis different treatment of investments that pre-date
on Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Bay of Plenty, Waikato, the government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative
Top of South and Canterbury, secondly, Gisborne, that aims to provide fiber connectivity to 87% of

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