Page 147 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Communications Commission (NCC) has agreed to pay TWD5 billion (USD178 million) to acquire
granted conditional approval for Asia Pacific Telecom an 11.58% stake in APT, while in a parallel move the
(APT) to share Far EasTone Telecommunications two parties also inked a spectrum sharing deal, under
(FET’s) 5G spectrum and use the latter’s network. which APT would gain access to FET’s 5G-suitable
With this being the first instance of a spectrum 3.5GHz spectrum, paying TWD9.47 billion to use the
Taiwan sharing arrangement since the implementation of the frequencies, while also sharing network deployment

Telecommunications Management Act last year, the costs. Having received the partnership application
NCC has approved the duo’s application, provided in December 2020, Wong said the NCC had reviewed
that two conditions are met. Firstly, both firms are it based on criteria in the Telecommunications
reportedly committed to constructing 2,000 more Management Act and the Regulations Governing the
base stations to expand 5G coverage – FET will build Use of Radio Frequencies, including ensuring efficient
500 5G and 1,000 4G base stations within the next frequency use, facilitating market competition and
two years, while APT will roll out 500 new 4G base protecting consumer interests. Commenting on
stations. The cellcos’ subscribers, meanwhile, must the matter, the NCC executive was cited as saying:
have equal access to the shared bandwidth on the ‘The Telecommunications Management Act allows
3.5GHz band, NCC Vice Chairman Wong Po-tsung was telecoms to build networks together and permits a more
cited as saying. Under the second condition, APT and flexible use of frequencies, which is expected to bring
FET will be required to set up a task force to ensure unprecedented changes to the telecommunications
that both operators have the ability to control the 5G market … We will closely monitor those changes and
network and monitor information security issues. The soon entrust a research institution with the task of
task force will be expected to conduct regular meetings studying relevant issues.’
and submit records to the NCC. In September 2020 FET (March 5, 2021) The Taipei Times

TCRA Director General James Kilaba said yesterday the selected data, where telecom companies provide
that the new rules coming into effect on April 2 require for selection in the menu before a user chooses a data
service providers not to offer bundles without approval or voice bundle to buy. “The service provider will not
from the regulator and ensure data bundle prices are be allowed to reduce data speed during the use of the
Tanzania within indicative prices directed by TCRA. The new purchased bundle,” the rules further underline. The new
rules require service providers to use simple language guidelines also direct telecom companies not to issue
in data provision for ease of customers to grasp, while three promotions and special offers of different kinds
being disallowed from changing and twisting terms at the same time. TCRA said that from 2018 to 2021
and conditions of the bundles within three months the average cost for calls within one network without
of issuance.” Service providers will notify user on the subscribing to bundles has dropped from 290.27/-
usage of the bundle upon reaching 75-percent and 100 per minute to 90.81/-, a 76percent decrease while
percent for voice bundles and short message services internetwork connection without bundles has dropped
(SMS),” the regulator elaborated. Similarly, service by 81percent. The new rules come from analyzing the
providers are required to insert a mobile app to help user cost difference between using bundles and not using
know the rate of data bundle usage by downloading bundles, where TCRA noticed that 90-percent of phone
the app. Service providers need to enable the user to use is tied to bundles and thus complaints come most
choose and agree to charges on data use and units of from this source. (March 3, 2021) ippmedia.com

The telecoms regulator was asked to consider giving THB100.5 billion ($3.3 million) on 2,805MHz of
mobile operators additional time to pay for 5G licenses spectrum in the 700MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz bands.
along with other potential relief, to account for a hit The operators are required to pay for the 700MHz and
to their finances caused by Covid-19 (coronavirus), 2600MHz licenses over ten years. The winning bidders
Bangkok Post reported. A national 5G committee of the 26GHZ spectrum need to pay the full amount
Thailand chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered within a year of the licenses being issued. But operators
the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications recorded declines in Q4 2020, with AIS’ mobile revenue
Commission (NBTC) to consider delaying the payments dropping, True Move recording a loss and dtac’s profit
alongside other potential aid packages for the sector. shrinking. In 2018 the NBTC recommended relaxing the
The regulator is tasked with making recommendations payment terms of 4G licenses awarded to AIS and True
at the committee’s next meeting, due sometime in Move in 2015, but later dropped the proposal following
April, the newspaper reported. In February 2020, AIS, criticism.
True Move, dtac, CAT Telecom and TOT committed (March 3, 2021) mobileworldlive.com

147 FEB-MAR 2021