Page 158 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Ukraine’s National Commission for State Regulation with the aim of augmenting and expanding their existing
of Communications & Informatization (NCCIR/NKRZI) LTE-1800 and LTE-2600 networks, while according to
confirms on its website that it has adopted a decision previous regulatory and government statements the
on the ‘early implementation’ of 4G LTE 900MHz 900MHz frequencies were set to be valid for LTE usage
network services by the country’s three GSM mobile from 1 July 2020. The latest NCCIR decision, however,
Ukraine operators Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and Lifecell, made appears to lay the path for LTE-900 deployment to start
possible by the defragmentation and redistribution of before this date. Note that as part of Ukraine’s program
the 900MHz spectrum band – up until now used solely of 800MHz-900MHz redistribution, CDMA operator
for 2G. The three 900MHz holders are expected to be Intertelecom will be granted permission to launch
issued new technology-neutral licenses by next month LTE in the 800MHz-850MHz range from 1 April 2020.
with the aim of augmenting and expanding their existing (February 24, 2020) commsupdate.com
LTE-1800 and LTE-2600 networks, while according to
previous regulatory and government statements the Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments
900MHz frequencies were set to be valid for LTE usage to the national frequency plan to allow redistribution of
from 1 July 2020. The latest NCCIR decision, however, 800MHz and 900MHz spectrum to support expansion
appears to lay the path for LTE-900 deployment to start of 4G LTE mobile networks, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
before this date. Note that as part of Ukraine’s program Operators – including GSM/3G/LTE providers Kyivstar,
of 800MHz-900MHz redistribution, CDMA operator Vodafone and Lifecell, alongside CDMA operator
Intertelecom will be granted permission to launch Intertelecom – are expected to renew their licenses
LTE in the 800MHz-850MHz range from 1 April 2020. under revised conditions on a technology-neutral
(February 26, 2020) commsupdate.com basis in March, with Intertelecom to begin developing
an LTE network in April, according to Prime Minister
Ukraine’s National Commission for State Regulation Aleksey Goncharuk. Kyivstar, Vodafone and Lifecell
of Communications & Informatization (NCCIR/NKRZI) are expected to utilize the 800MHz-900MHz bands
confirms on its website that it has adopted a decision for LTE expansion from July. The latest frequency
on the ‘early implementation’ of 4G LTE 900MHz plan amendments also cover elimination of mutual
network services by the country’s three GSM mobile interference in the operation of CDMA and E-GSM
operators Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and Lifecell, made networks, while in addition, the usage of 3700MHz-
possible by the defragmentation and redistribution of 3800MHz spectrum for mobile services is now
the 900MHz spectrum band – up until now used solely permitted (effective from 1 February 2020).
for 2G. The three 900MHz holders are expected to be (February 7, 2020) mobileworldlive.com
issued new technology-neutral licenses by next month

The UK government unveiled a new £30 million scheme the government announced a £30 million pot for seven
to fund 5G trials in various industries, adding to an 5G projects to connect rural areas with a further £5
existing £35 million program to stimulate innovation million for testing the benefits of the technology in
in delivering next generation services to rural areas the manufacturing sector. The DCMS added the trial
United and industry. Unveiled today, 5G Create is an open programmes would also “support the government’s
ambition to diversify the supply chain for digital
competition focused on delivering innovations in
Kingdom industries including film, TV, video games, logistics infrastructure” in the country, adding none of the
and tourism. In a statement, the Department for Digital, winners from 5G Create “will use equipment from high-
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) explained the contest risk vendors”. Several news outlets reported this means
will run from early March to end-June and add to a Huawei had been locked out of participating in the 5G
related contest covering rural innovations. UK Digital projects as the government continues to monitor the
Secretary Oliver Dowden explained the funding aimed Chinese vendor’s security credentials. In January, the
to help the country “seize the new opportunities” 5G will government ruled Huawei equipment would not be
offer, including “seeing how it could create new jobs in used in core 5G networks, but cleared it for use in non-
the countryside, make businesses more productive and sensitive parts, albeit with restrictions.
unleash even more ideas in our cutting-edge creative (February 20, 2020) mobileworldlive.com
industries”. The DCMS noted the programmes add to
a broader £200 million investment in 5G testbeds and The telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced that
trials to explore ways in which the technology could it is making some regulatory changes with a view to
“boost business growth and productivity, improve helping broadband companies upgrade customers
the lives of people in rural areas and maximize the to faster broadband more efficiently, while also
productivity benefits of new technologies”. In 2019, supporting trials aimed at providing customers with

158 FEBRUARY 2020