Page 160 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

This 3.5GHz spectrum is already being used for 5G band spectrum for advanced wireless services like
in other parts of the world, particularly in China and 5G. And today, I’m pleased to announce the latest
South Korea – two key markets for smartphones. step to achieve that priority: the approval of four
This means that wireless companies can begin systems that will enable the 3.5 GHz band to be put
requesting permission to use some of this spectrum to use for the benefit of American consumers and
for both 4G and 5G deployment (among other businesses. – Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman US Mobile
applications) via four selected companies: Google, carriers have already been preparing to support the
Sony, CommScope, and Federated Wireless. In new spectrum (Band 48). In particular, both AT&T
order to use the newly available spectrum, devices and Verizon have equipped some of their cell sites
need to be certified as OnGo (branding for the with CBRS support so that in conjunction with
spectrum). The US Department of Defense, for carrier aggregation, smartphones already on the
instance, may be able to suddenly take over the market can take advantage of improved coverage
spectrum when necessary and OnGo devices will and faster data speeds. All current-gen iPhones,
be able to dynamically adjust their transmissions the Google Pixel 3 and 4, LG G8, OnePlus 7 Pro,
so that the spectrum can be “shared” among Verizon’s 5G Moto Mod, Samsung Galaxy S10 and
applications like rural broadband, IoT, or even Note10 are all hardware-equipped to support the
setting up an a corporate internal LTE network. new band.
The FCC has made it a priority to free up mid- (January 28, 2020) androidpolice.com

Patrick Mutimunshi, director general at the Zambia operations must be sustainable.’ Meanwhile, the report
Information and Communications Technology Authority also claims that the government has already carried
(ZICTA), has reportedly suggested that a fifth mobile out a market analysis, the results of which supported
network operator (MNO) concession could be offered the entry of a fifth MNO and suggested that another
in the country. According to ITWeb Africa, with the new player would still allow for the wireless sector to
Zambia executive noting that the regulatory body’s mandate is remain profitable. According to the unnamed insider
to ensure sustained competition in the cellular sector, at ZICTA which revealed the existence of the market
he was cited as saying: ‘The new licensing regime that analysis, the government is keen to see the market
we have has opened up the market for anyone to come develop to a point where competition drives down the
in the country and invest. There is still the possibility high cost of voice communication and data services.
of us accommodating a fifth operator that can still be (February 18, 2020) commsupdate.com
able to make profit because at the end of the day, the

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory communities in the country are able to access
Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has launched a USD6 information communication technologies (ICT)
million scheme to improve rural communications. and telecommunication services. The Passive
The Passive Telecommunications Infrastructure Telecommunications Infrastructure Project, which is
Project, supported by the Universal Services Fund supported by the Universal Services Fund (USF), has
Zimbabwe (USF), will deploy 20 shared base stations in enabled the construction of 20 telecommunication
Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland North, Midlands, sites which will cater for under-serviced areas in the
Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland remotest parts of the country. Currently, members of
Central and Matabeleland South provinces. POTRAZ the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information
spokesperson George Manyaya said: ‘The project aims Communication Technology are on a fact-finding
to bridge the digital divide as witnessed by the upsurge mission in different parts of the country to find
in the country’s mobile and internet penetration rates. out if telecommunication companies are sharing
We expect, upon completion of the project, mobile infrastructure. Passive infrastructure refers to non-
telecoms firms will share the infrastructure and the active facilities provided at a telecommunications site to
facilities.’ support the provision of ICT services to the surrounding
(February 19, 2020) commsupdate.com areas, for example, solar power, towers, diesel engine
generators, power back-up batteries, access roads and
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory perimeter fences. Speaking on behalf of the director-
Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has embarked on general Gift Machengete, Potraz spokesperson George
an infrastructure development project which will Manyaya said the passive infrastructure connectivity
ensure that the marginalized and under-serviced project would contribute to the turnaround of the

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