Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

JCRA to Recommend JT and Sure for 5G Spectrum Allocations

Having invited applications from operators interested in providing communications regulator Ofcom – which has responsibility
5G connectivity back in September 2022, the Jersey Competition for managing the Bailiwick’s radio spectrum – to award the
Regulatory Authority (JCRA) has now issued an ‘Outcome aforementioned operators 5G-suitable frequencies this year.
Information Note’ related to this matter. In this note the watchdog Meanwhile, the JCRA’s information note also confirmed its
confirmed that it has accepted applications from JT Jersey and intention to invite applications for a further 5G spectrum package
Sure Jersey for the ‘Full Service’ 5G spectrum packages which during 2023.
were being offered. It will now make recommendations to UK

True, dtac Merger Nears Completion

A long-planned merger of True Corp and dtac was tipped to be first considered. GSMA Intelligence estimates for Q4 2022 put the
completed by the end of March, with the companies agreeing combined entity’s share of mobile connections at 53.9 per cent,
to hold a shareholders’ meeting on 23 February to finalize the with current market leader AIS on 45.2 per cent.
corporate structure. In separate stock market filings, the two
operators said they are working together to implement conditions
prescribed by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Commission (NBTC). Their boards stated the merged business will
be named True Corp, with the existing True Move and dtac brands
to be maintained for at least the next three years. At the meeting
next month, the board will vote on the CEO and deputy CEO, and
elect new directors for the merged company. The companies
nominated Current True Corp Co-President Manat Manavutiveth is
nominated as CEO and dtac chief Sharad Mehrotra as deputy. The
NBTC approved the deal in October 2022 nearly a year after it was

Citymesh Authorized to Transfer 2600MHz User Rights to Citymesh Mobile

the spectrum – 2520MHz-2535MHz/2640MHz-2655MHz, valid
until 30 September 2035 – would be used to deploy nationwide 4G
services. Citymesh is required to give the BIPT at least ten days’
notice of the transfer of ownership. Citymesh Mobile exercised an
option in March 2022 to secure the spectrum package reserved
for a fourth mobile network operator in Belgium’s 5G spectrum
Telecoms regulator the Belgian Institute for Postal Services auction staged last summer, and went on to acquire frequencies in
and Telecommunications (BIPT) has granted B2B wireless the 700MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 3600MHz bands,
connectivity provider Citymesh permission to transfer its user paying a total of EUR114.3 million (USD123.4 million). Citymesh
rights in the 2600MHz band to Citymesh Mobile, its joint venture – part of European IT services group Cegeka – holds a 51% stake
with Romanian-backed Digi Communications. The decision in the new entrant and Digi Communications subsidiary RCS&RDS
follows a request submitted in August last year which indicated 49%.

Anatel Concerned by V.tal Stake Sale Suggestions

Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia Nacional to pay off a number of remaining creditors. TeleTime reports
de Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has reportedly expressed concerns that the regulator is worried that Oi will jeopardize the continuity
that Oi is planning to leverage its stake in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) of its operations by diluting its V.tal shareholding any further. In
wholesale operator V.tal as it seeks to pay off its remaining debts. November 2022 the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP
Oi’s judicial recovery drew to a close on 14 December 2022, after Investments) agreed to pay BRL2.5 billion (USD462 million) for a
around six-and-a-half years, but the cash-strapped telco still needs 9.5% stake in V.tal and Oi’s stake is now believed to be around 30%.
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