Page 128 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The telecoms regulator will collaborate with government messages to mobile subscribers. Initially launched with
sectors and invite public service organizations to the telecoms sector, the scheme will expand its scope
join the SMS Sender Registration Scheme to combat to include the banking sector. Leung said that more
fraudulent messages and scam, said director-general government departments are expected to join, with the
Hong Kong of communications Chaucer Leung Chung-yin. Under police and the Immigration Department already in and
the scheme, senders are required by the Office of
the Efficiency Office showing interest.
the Communications Authority to utilize registered (January 25, 2024) www.chinadailyhk.com
SMS identities prefixed with "#" when sending text

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is safe to say that they have a significant inventory of
announced it will hold a spectrum auction starting May yet-to-be-utilized spectrum, as Jio and Airtel together
20 this year. A total of 10,523.15MHz of spectrum worth have just a little over 100 million 5G subscribers. On
963.17 billion Indian rupees ($11.65 billion) will be the other hand, Vodafone Idea is likely to commercially
India put up for sale. Spectrum in several frequency bands, launch 5G services only later this year. However, Airtel
and Vodafone Idea will bid for their expired spectrum.
including 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz,
2300MHz, 2500MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz, will be Last month, the government approved a fresh
available for service providers to purchase. Significantly, spectrum allotment to these two telcos to avoid service
the government is not offering 700MHz spectrum in disruption in circles (service areas) where their 20-
the auction. In the last auction, Reliance Jio, India's year lease had come to an end. This was allowed only
largest service provider, acquired pan-India 700MHz until the auctions are held. Airtel is likely to renew its
spectrum, which it uses to offer 5G standalone (SA) spectrum in 900MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands
services. According to the Notice Inviting Applications in six circles of Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh
(NIA) issued by the DoT, the interested companies (West), Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jammu
need to apply by April 22. This would be followed by a and Kashmir. Vodafone Idea's license is, meanwhile,
mock auction on May 13 and May 14 before the actual coming to an end in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
auction starts on May 20. A company must have a (West). During the last auction in 2022, the government
Unified Access Services Licenses (UASL) or Unified earned INR1.5 trillion ($18.19 billion). It has decided to
License (UL) to bid for the spectrum, the NIA specifies. hold one spectrum auction every year to ensure telcos
However, a company can also give an undertaking are never short of spectrum.(March 11, 2024) www.lightreading.com
that it will acquire a UASL/UL license to participate
in the auction. Even as the government goes ahead The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister approved
with the auction, it is aware that the response will be auctions in eight spectrum bands for mobile phone
subdued. "The next spectrum auction will be a limited services at a base price of Rs 96,317.65 crore to
auction because an already large part of the spectrum improve the quality of telecom services and coverage
required by the industry was auctioned last year," said for consumers. The Ministry of Communication has
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications and announced auctions for spectrum in 800 MHz, 900
IT. A key reason for anticipated muted response is that MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300
the service providers invested a significant amount MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands. The said spectrum
in acquiring the 5G spectrum in an auction held in will be offered with a validity period of 20 years. "A total
2022 but have yet to start monetizing it. The top two of 10,523.15 MHz is being offered with a valuation of
telcos, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have launched 5G Rs. 96,317.65 crore," said the official statement.
services but have yet to announce tariffs for them. It (February 8, 2024) www.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has named the 10 said: “The finalized Code will form part of Ireland’s
services formally designated as video-sharing platform overall online safety framework, taking effect from
services to be bound by new online safety rules. After a February this year. “This framework will make a range
designation process which was completed in December of online services legally accountable for how they keep
Ireland 2023, the designated services are Facebook, Instagram, people safe online. This framework is based on the
YouTube, Udemy, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Tumblr Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the EU
and Reddit. The draft online safety code, which is Digital Services Act and the EU Terrorist Content Online
currently subject to public consultation, can be applied Regulation.”
to these services. In a statement, Coimisiún na Meán (January 11, 2024) www.irishlegal.com

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