Page 136 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications factors including bid price, technological development
(MIC) is looking to introduce spectrum auctions by early and investment plans. A working group will be set up
2026, replacing the current system where operators are to discuss the plans, involving regulatory authorities,
awarded frequencies for free. A report says that rather operators, equipment manufacturers and industry
Japan than use a simple auction format where the highest experts.
bidder wins, the regulator will base its decision on
(January 31, 2023) Nikkei News

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) to a three-year notice period; subject to accepting that
has launched a consultation on proposals to review revocation, existing historic licensees will receive new
the allocation of radio spectrum as part of its program ‘Limited Service’ spectrum packages, as defined in the
to enable the introduction of next generation mobile JCRA’s ‘5G Spectrum Award’; and new 5G licensees
Jersey technology to the Bailiwick. In it, the JCRA is seeking will be permitted to access any unused 3.4GHz-3.8
views from interested parties on the option of moving
GHz spectrum during this notice period, following
the existing radio spectrum allocations of some agreement with existing historic licensees over sharing
telecoms operators or potentially recommending the arrangements necessary to avoid interference between
cancellation of their radio spectrum licenses. With services. With a closing date of 31 March 2023 having
the regulator noting that it is specifically examining been set for comments on the consultation, the
plans related to the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band, it noted that JCRA’s chief executive Tim Ringsdore said: ‘One of
frequencies in this range have previously been licensed our important duties as Jersey’s telecoms regulator is
for the provision of ‘earlier wireless services’, adding ensuring Islanders can access and rely on high-quality
that these existing historic allocations ‘prevent the next generation mobile services in the future. Providing
creation of large blocks for new 5G services without new 5G services that meet this expectation will require
changes in allocations. According to the JCRA, after additional radio spectrum, some of which has been
examining the local situation and considering the historically allocated to existing licensed telecoms
approach taken in other comparable locations, it is operators. After carefully examining the situation, we
now consulting on provisional plans to defragment believe it right to consider requesting these operators
the 3.4GHz-3.8 GHz spectrum band. In summarizing move to an alternative part of the spectrum band, or to
its proposals, the authority has recommended to UK give up their allocation. Our consultation explains the
regulator Ofcom – which is responsible for managing reasoning behind our provisional proposals – we’re
the Bailiwick’s radio spectrum – that: the licenses for looking forward to engaging through this process and
spectrum presently held by Clear Mobitel, Newtel and determining the right approach.’
Sure in the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band are revoked subject (February 16, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation & each lot was set at KZT1.76 billion (USD3.8 million),
Aerospace announced the results of the country’s 5G but local news site Profit.kz reports that as a result of
spectrum license auction, with both frequency blocks competition, the price of Lot No. 1 increased to KZT62.7
on offer won by a consortium of mobile operators Kcell billion, and the bid for Lot No. 2 rose to KZT93.4 billion.
Kyrgyzstan and Mobile Telecom Service (Tele2-Altel) – both part of Representing the winning consortium, Sergey Konkov,
General Director of Mobile Telecom Service, noted: ‘By
the Kazakhtelecom group. The two 1×100MHz blocks
are in the ranges 3600MHz-3700MHz (Lot No. 1) and the end of 2025 Kcell and Tele2-Altel plan to build over
3700MHz-3800MHz (Lot No. 2). The initial price for 7,000 5G base stations.’ (January 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Two of Kosovo's mobile operators have been granted 5G 821MHz/852MHz-862MHz) alongside a 1×100MHz
licenses. Regulatory Authority for Post and Electronic block in the 3.6GHz band (3,510MHz-3,610MHz).
Communications (Autoriteti Rregullator i Komunikimeve IPKO has picked up spectrum in the 2×10MHz in
Elektronike dhe Postare, ARKEP) has awarded IPKO and the 800MHz band, (791MHz-801MHz/832MHz-
Kosovo Telecom Kosovo the licenses. The regulator published 842MHz) plus a 1×100MHz block of the spectrum at
the decision on February 15, reported Comms Update,
3,410MHz-3,510MHz. Both licenses are valid for 20
with the announcement a boost for Kosovo, where 5G years and are technology-neutral. According to the
is yet to launch. Telecom Kosovo has been awarded regulator, an additional 90MHz block of 5G spectrum
a 2×10MHz block in the 800MHz band (811MHz- in the 3,710MHz-3,800MHz range has been awarded

136 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023