Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC said it is seeking views on a number of issues
(ACCC) has launched a consultation on industry related to the presenting of information to consumers
guidance related to broadband speed claims made by about upload speeds and factors affecting speeds
operators. According to the watchdog, developments received on alternative wireless access networks.
Australia in the way retail service providers (RSPs) display Interested parties have until 25 February 2022 to make
upload speeds and consumers’ interest in upload submissions to the consultation. Previously, the ACCC
speeds information has prompted it to consider released its guidance on broadband speed claims
updating the ‘Broadband Speeds Claims – Industry in August 2017 to outline good practices for RSPs to
Guidance’. Further, the ACCC has suggested that the adopt in presenting the speeds of their broadband
growth of fixed wireless services on alternative fixed plans. Since then, the regulator has committed to
wireless networks ‘also reinforces the need to promote reviewing the guidance periodically, and published
transparency about the factors that may affect speeds updates to it in 2019 and 2020 in response to changes
on all fixed wireless access networks. As such, the in the market. (February 1, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Telekom Control Commission (TKK) says it has investigation with the Federal Competition Authority
decided to conduct an in-depth analysis of competition (Bundeswettbewerbsbehorde, BWB).
in the mobile communications market, in order to (February 24, 2022) commsupdate.com
continue to enable sufficient competition in the future
Austria and to secure it in the long term. According to the In order to create planning security for market
regulator, in 2020 and 2021 complaints about non- participants, Austria’s Telecom Control Commission
competitive sales prices, cases of denial of access, and (TKK), together with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture,
pressure to change business models were received Regions and Tourism, has drawn up a Spectrum
from MVNOs and other upstream service providers. Release Plan for the period 2022 to 2026. The legally
As a condition of Hutchison Drei’s acquisition of rival non-binding plan is intended to reflect the authorities’
Orange in 2012, the company agreed with the EC to current assessment of future spectrum awards. It
provide wholesale network access to MVNOs for ten envisages that frequencies in the 26GHz (totaling
years. With this obligation set to expire at the end of around 1.6GHz, some of which will be used for local
2022, the TKK says it must check whether competition connectivity such as campus networks and industrial
in the wholesale mobile market and thus ultimately use) and 3.4GHz-3.8GHz bands will be allocated in
also the retail market can continue to be successful the first half of 2023, followed by 2.6GHz spectrum
in the future, or whether there are tendencies that (as well as 2.3GHz and 6GHz spectrum, depending
can have a lasting impact on the advantages that on availability) during 2025, while frequencies in the
have been achieved for the entire market to date, 42GHz, 60GHz and 26GHz bands are not expected to
particularly with regards to new technologies such as be awarded until after 2026.
5G and new business models. The TKK will conduct its (February 17, 2022) commsupdate.com

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) 2100MHz spectrum; the Cozani assets encompass
has reportedly approved the transfer of spectrum the North, Northeast and Southeast regions, notably
licences currently held by Oi Movel to its rivals, TIM Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. While Claro will
Brasil, Telefonica Brasil (Vivo) and Claro Brasil. As per not gain any spectrum via the deal, Jonava is said to
Brazil government documentation, the spectrum assets will include secondary spectrum rights and RAN sharing
agreements. Oi’s mobile unit was sold at auction on
be transferred via three holding companies: Garliava,
Cozani and Jonava. Vivo will acquire the Garliava 14 December 2020, generating a final bid of BRL16.5
assets, which include authorizations for the use of billion (USD3.25 billion). Anatel approved the deal on
the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.5GHz bands, chiefly in 31 January this year and the Administrative Council for
the Northeast. TIM, meanwhile, will assume control Economic Defence (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa
of the Cozani frequencies, which are said to include Economica, CADE) green-lit the deal on 9 February.
the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.5GHz bands, alongside (February 15, 2022) TeleTime

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