Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

2021 – will free up additional numbering resources the move does not represent a transition to an eleven-
for mobile services by enabling the exploitation of digit numbering scheme, a measure which has been
underutilized blocks of numbers that were previously proposed several times but has met with opposition
usable only for fixed lines. The regulator stressed that from stakeholders. (December 1, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Indonesian government kick-started its selection with Indosat Ooredoo not taking action. XL Axiata did
proves for companies aiming to secure 30MHz of not pass the watchdog’s ‘Administrative Evaluation of
2300MHz (2360MHz-2390MHz) for mobile services, 2.3GHz Radio Frequency Band User Selection in the
and cut XL Axiata and Indosat Ooredoo after Range of 2360-2390MHz for the Need for Organizing
Indonesia evaluation. TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate reported, Cellular Mobile Networks’, whereas Telkomsel, Smart
the Telkomsel, Smart Telecom (Smartfren), and Telecom and Hutchison 3 Indonesia did. The regulator
Hutchison 3 Indonesia (Tri) were successful in passing announced last month it would award spare spectrum
the Ministry of Communication and Information’s to operators in the 2.3GHz band, as part of plans
(MCI) requirements. The regulator stated the five to push digital transformations, and in turn, boost
operators applied for documents to participate, but economic, social and government sectors.
at the deadline only four had submitted applications (December 15, 2020) developingtelecoms.com

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Caherconlish (Limerick); and areas around Ballinasloe
Communications (DECC) has released an update such as Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell, and
detailing the progress on the country’s National Ahascragh (Galway). Almost 8,000 premises are
Broadband Plan (NBP), under which the state has targeted to be passed with fiber and connectable to a
Ireland committed to ensuring all citizens have access to high- broadband service by the end of the first year of the
NBP Contract (i.e. 31 January 2021), while a pilot test
speed broadband. In its update, the DECC said that
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company tasked and trial phase for connections will run between this
with delivering the NBP, has made ‘significant progress’ month and next month in Carrigaline, County Cork. ISPs
in 2020. According to the government department NBI are expected to be able to provide services directly to
subcontractors are currently surveying fiber routes to customers ‘early in 2021’. Also, of note, Broadband
assess whether existing poles can be used, assessing Connection Points (BCPs) will reportedly be used to
underground ducting and the extent of tree trimming provide connectivity and help communities to quickly
required to avoid disturbance of the fiber cables as they access free public high speed broadband in advance
are placed on overhead poles. With regards to progress of the main deployment under the NBP. Planned BCP
in this area, as of 23 November 2020 more than 136,000 locations were identified by local authorities and
premises across 26 counties were said to have been include schools, library hubs, and local sports facilities.
surveyed, ahead of a full year survey target of 120,000. According to the DECC, the BCP delivery project is ‘now
Meanwhile, work on the deployment of fiber-to-the- well underway’, with connectivity being provided to
home (FTTH) infrastructure was confirmed to have each of the sites by NBI. NBI has installed equipment at
gotten underway in several areas, namely: Carrigaline, 201 locations to facilitate BCPs for public access Wi-
Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Fi. Vodafone Ireland is, meanwhile, said to be enabling
Upper Rochestown (in the county of Cork); ranmore, these buildings with the necessary indoor and outdoor
Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Furbo and Barna (Galway); Wi-Fi under a contract with the Department of Rural
Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, and Caughoo and Community Development. As of mid-November, 59
(Cavan); townlands outside Limerick City including BCPs had been connected by Vodafone Ireland.
Mungret, Patrickswell, Crecora, Castleconnell and (December 8, 2020) commsupdate.com

Italy’s top court has annulled a EUR74.3 million (USD90 a move by main shareholder Vivendi to take effective
million) fine levied against Telecom Italia (TIM) in control of TIM. According to a Reuters report, the court
2017. The penalty was imposed by markets regulator found that the regulator had not followed the proper
Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa procedure when making its ruling.
Italy (Consob) for the alleged failure to notify authorities of (December 15, 2020) commsupdate.com

88 DECEMBER 2020