Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications required to prepare contracts using the new standard
(MTC) announced electromagnetic waves emitted from template for each of their tariffs and submit them
radio broadcasting and telecom antennas in the city to the regulator before marketing the services, and
of Cusco, are below the legal international limit. In a must do the same for any scheduled modifications
Peru statement, MTC said it carried out field tests during the to the plans. The regulations also ban providers from
adding extra clauses to their contracts. The standard
weekend (December 19-20) in different locations in
the city to find its results. Specifically, engineers were templates must be in use by all companies by 4 March
sent to record waves in Cerro Picchu, in the district of 2021. OSIPTEL has established standardized contracts
Lucre, in Quispicanchi, and in the Plaza de Armas in for the following types of service, with variations
Cusco. MTC found “non-ionizing radiation” from the depending on the contract type (i.e., pre-paid or post-
main telecommunications services does not exceed paid): pay-tv, fixed telephony, multi-service bundles,
1% of the maximum reference levels established for mobile, mobile internet and fixed internet.
international environmental quality standards. It is (December 7, 2020) commsupdate.com
considered non-compliance when it exceeds 100%.”
Angel Paz, general director of Communications The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC)
Inspections and Sanctions said: “The public must be has published draft rules to regulate the sharing of active
sure that electromagnetic waves do not have negative telecommunication infrastructure. The proposals look
effects. The MTC makes constant measurements and to establish a set of standards regarding procedures,
we have verified that all signals are within the allowed conditions and requirements for the approval of
standard. This gives security to continue installing infrastructure sharing agreements. The MTC notes that
more antennas to help reduce the digital divide”. the regulations would reduce the cost of investment
(December 27, 2020) developingtelecoms.com and network expansion and promote the development
of networks in underserved rural communities. Further,
Peruvian telecoms watchdog the Supervisory Agency the MTC added that greater levels of infrastructure
for Private Investment in Telecommunications sharing would also reduce the environmental impact
(OSIPTEL) has issued a new order requiring service of installing new infrastructure such as antennas. The
providers to use a standard template for contracts for ministry stressed that the regulations do not extend
a range of services to ensure that they are easy for to spectrum, however. Meanwhile, regional news
customers to read and understand. The short contracts portal TeleSemena cites the Ministry’s accompanying
break down the relevant information into standardized report as saying that the current status quo would
and numbered sections, with explanations written in generate long-term disadvantages for the sector by
a ‘simple and friendly way’. All new contracts must widening the infrastructure gap and escalating costs
also include a consumer rights booklet from OSIPTEL, through the duplication of networks and inefficient
which includes similarly simplified information on use of infrastructure. On the other hand, regulation of
subjects such as billing, number portability and infrastructure sharing would widen access to service,
cancelling a contract, as well as contact information stimulate competition and provide for more ‘orderly’
for the regulator. Under the terms of the order growth of networks, the MTC argued.
(Resolution No. 311-2020-GG/OSIPTEL), operators are (December 1, 2020) commsupdate.com

After weeks of bitter acrimony and legal threats, Zuquete da Silva to hit out at ‘parasitic investment
Portugal´s three mobile network operators have all operators’ who seek to capitalize on the work of
reluctantly submitted applications to take part in the companies that have been investing in the Portuguese
country’s impending 5G spectrum auction. According economy for several decades. As previously reported
Portugal to Reuters, Nos, Vodafone and MEO all filed their by CommsUpdate, the National Communications
applications for the auction shortly before the 26
Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicacoes,
November deadline. Meanwhile, a report from local new ANACOM) unveiled its 5G auction rules last month,
site Observador quotes a spokesperson from small prompting anger from the trio of incumbents. One of
cell wholesale provider Dense Air Portugal, confirming the most contentious rules concerns ANACOM’s desire
that the company has also registered its interest in to encourage new market entrants to participate in
the bidding process. It remains to be seen whether the bidding process, by setting aside an allocation
Grupo MASMOVIL-backed Nowo will follow through of spectrum (900MHz/1800MHz) and granting
with its threat to take part in the auction, however. newcomers nationwide roaming access for a period of
The prospect of cableco/MVNO Nowo entering the ten years.
MNO fray prompted Altice Portugal administrator Joao (December 2, 2020) commsupdate.com

90 DECEMBER 2020