Page 83 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Cambodia Tightens Internet Control with National Internet Gateway

dissent, noting that during 2021 government censors arrested,
detained or issued a warrant for the arrest of 39 individuals due
to the content of their online posts. Many of these people had
ties to opposition parties – including the son of an already jailed
opposition leader - or had expressed an unfavorable view of the
incumbent government. The government has ordered the gateway
to block access to websites and connections that could have a
negative effect on “national revenue, safety, social order, morality,
culture, traditions and customs” – a sweeping definition that could
be used to police opinions as Cambodia prepares for elections
next year. The country’s authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen
has held power since 1985. Speaking to AFP, cybersecurity expert
Matt Warren from Australia's RMIT University noted that the
gateway could be used to silence high-profile opposition figures
living in exile outside of Cambodia. He noted that the government
The National Internet Gateway proposed by Cambodia’s feared the use of social media platforms for organized protest, as
government last year is set to launch on 16th February, granting occurred in Myanmar, and was following in China’s steps towards
the state greater surveillance powers over online content. The full surveillance. "It's the Balkanization of the internet. You've
gateway will route all internet traffic through a state-controlled got the internet in China, you've got the Russian internet, you've
entry point. Government spokesperson Phay Siphan stated that got the internet in Saudi Arabia, where they are isolated and
the gateway would help the government protect national security monitored. It's not just about censorship, it's also about control",
and defend against cyber-crime, but many critics – including said Warren. With the gateway set to come into effect imminently,
the UN – have countered that the measures look set to bring many Cambodians are turning to VPNs, with British advocacy
Cambodia’s internet controls more in line with China’s, quelling group Top10VPN noting that in December 2021 the number of
free speech and crushing the already stifled opposition parties. VPN accounts in Cambodia grew by 56%. Thus far, authorities
The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) believes that have not acted on this trend but the firm noted that it was likely a
the gateway will be used by the government as a tool to silence matter of time.

Deep and Meaningful: UScellular, T-Mobile Talk Up Acquired Spectrum

Following the conclusion of Auction 110 – the most recent spectrum depths of 100MHz or more.’ In Auction 110, UScellular
spectrum sale held by the Federal Communications Commission says it purchased 380 licenses covering 97% of its subscribers
(FCC) – two of the more notable participants have shared new for a total cost of USD580 million. T-Mobile US, meanwhile, says
details regarding their respective 5G strategies. Regional operator it won an average of 21MHz of mid-band spectrum in key areas
UScellular noted: ‘Combining mid-band purchases of CBRS home to 184 million people across the US, which it will deploy to
spectrum in Auction 105 and C-band in Auction 107 with the add additional depth to its 2.5GHz ‘Ultra Capacity 5G’ network.
spectrum acquired in recently-completed Auction 110, UScellular Going forward, T-Mobile plans to bring Ultra Capacity 5G to 260
will have mid-band spectrum in the great majority of its operating million people this year and cover 300 million people in 2023.
footprint and over 80% of subscribers will be covered with mid-band

Slovak MNOs to Swap Fragmented 1800MHz Spectrum

Slovakia’s four mobile network operators (MNOs) have agreed acting only as a moderator. The MNOs will each get 2×20MHz
a plan to swap frequencies in the 1800MHz band to give them of spectrum in three parts of the country and 2×15MHz in one
contiguous packages of spectrum which will help to improve agreed area. Formal refarming begins on 14 February and will be
2G, 4G and 5G network efficiency. Zive.sk reports that the deal completed around two months later, the report says.
was negotiated by the operators themselves, with the regulator

83 FEBRUARY 2022