Page 115 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

EU Telcos Join Forces Against Gigabit Infrastructure Act

Industry groups representing European telecoms operators
have warned that the European Commission’s proposed Gigabit
Infrastructure Act (GIA) could penalize companies and damage
the sector. The European Telecommunications Network Operators
Association (ETNO), the European Competitive Telecommunications
Association (ECTA), the GSMA, and GigaEurope have released
a joint statement outlining their concerns on the draft proposal,
which comes ahead of an EU meeting next week when lawmakers
will draft the final legislation. The GIA was first proposed by the
European Commission in February 2023, with the legislation aimed
at reducing the costs of deploying gigabit-capable networks and
simplify the rollout process. The GIA is part of a wider EU goal
of deploying gigabit-capable infrastructure across the EU by
2030, in line with the EU’s Digital Decade program. However, the
joint statement from the industry associations has disputed the
proposed GIA’s effectiveness, saying that the current negotiations
“risk turning it into a measure that penalizes telecoms operators, European Parliament to impose price caps on calls and messages
without producing any real benefit in terms of administrative within the EU, which the group says is unnecessary due to the
simplification”. The statement takes two main issues with the draft market’s competitive nature. The joint statement argues that the
text. Firstly, the European Commission’s suggestion of eliminating provision of digital networks is “critical for the prosperity of the
the ‘tacit approval’ clause, which currently would allow operators whole of Europe, providing the backbone of a modern, efficient
to push through with their deployment if local municipalities and sustainable economy for European citizens”. It is clear that
do not respond to a request for a construction permit within a most citizens would agree with this sentiment, but this statement
reasonable timeframe. The clause is controversial, with some EU is masking the real motivation from the operators: a cheaper and
companies considering it an intrusion on the rights of third parties easier way to roll out their networks. The end of the statement
and private property owners, but the telecoms organizations argue makes clear that the “EU telecom industry” would rather retain the
that to remove the clause is to remove a “key measure that would current laws on the subject than implement the new ones, saying
speed up network rollout”. Secondly, a proposal added by the that retaining the regulatory status quo would be “less damaging”.

FCC Updates Spectrum Rules to Facilitate Broadband Access on Ships and

Aircraft

The Federal Communications Commission last week adopted efficient use of spectrum and will provide opportunities for the
updates to its rules for the 70 GHz, 80 GHz, and 90 GHz spectrum development of new broadband service options. The adopted
bands to facilitate broadband access on ships and aircrafts, in Report and Order establishes new rules and updates existing
addition to backhaul service for 5G. This action will promote the rules for the 71–76 GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–95
GHz bands. The new rules authorize certain point-to-point links to
endpoints in motion in the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands to facilitate
the use of these frequencies for access to broadband services on
aircraft and ships. They also permit the use of smaller and lower-
cost antennas to facilitate the provision of backhaul service in the
70 GHz and 80 GHz bands. Finally, the Report and Order changes
the link registration process in the 70/80/90 GHz bands to require
certification of construction of registered links, which will promote
more efficient use of this spectrum and improve the accuracy of
the link registration database. The Commission also adopted a
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comment on the
addition of another type of link as part of maritime operations
otherwise authorized in the Report and Order, and the inclusion of
Fixed Satellite Service earth stations in the light-licensing regime
for the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands.

115 JANUARY-MARCH 2024