Page 131 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications expected to launch by 2026. NBTC Chairman Sarana
Commission (NBTC) has announced the One Region, Boonbaichaiyapruck disclosed that the regulator is also
One MVNO scheme, aiming to establish more MVNOs aiming to implement free nationwide access to state
as an alternative to the three mobile operators in digital services by 2026. (January 5, 2024) The Bangkok Post
Thailand the country. Under the plan, four new MVNOs are

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) must be displayed even if the service is licensed by
outlined plans to launch an in-depth phase two Ofcom and therefore subject to our content standards
investigation into a proposed tie-up of Vodafone UK rules. Ofcom thinks this could be confusing to viewers,
with 3 UK unless the companies provide meaningful so it’s proposing to update the license condition so
United solutions to concerns related to the deal. Vodafone that warnings are not required if the licensee holds an
and 3 have five working days to respond to the CMA’s
Ofcom broadcast license.
Kingdom concerns, following an initial assessment which found (February 22, 2024) www.broadbandtvnews.com
the deal could lead to higher prices for customers and
lower investment in mobile networks. “These warrant Britain's antitrust watchdog has launched an
an in-depth investigation unless Vodafone and 3 can investigation into the $19 billion merger between
come forward with solutions,” the CMS stated. The Vodafone’s UK operation and CK Hutchison’s Three
CMA launched its phase one investigation in January, UK, reviewing whether the deal will hurt competition.
conducting a 40-day review to identify if the deal The tie-up announced last year will reduce the number
may lead to a substantial lessening of competition. It of mobile networks in Britain from four to three. The
explained the initial probe found Vodafone and 3 each Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has 40
provide important alternatives for mobile customers working days to complete its initial investigation, which
and had made significant investment in their networks is likely to lead to an in-depth, phase two probe lasting
over the years, including on the rollout of 5G. The CMA 24 weeks. "This deal would bring together two of the
noted a concern the combination would reduce rivalry major players in the UK telecommunications market,
among operators to win new customers, decrease which is critical to millions of everyday customers,
motivation to keep prices low and lessen the incentive businesses and the wider economy," said CMA Chief
to improve networks. It also raised concerns the merger Executive Sarah Cardell. "The CMA will assess how this
may make it difficult for smaller MVNOs including Sky tie-up between rival networks could impact competition
Mobile, Lebara and Lyca Mobile to negotiate good deals before deciding next steps." The companies pledged
for their own customers. (March 22, 2024) www.mobileworldlive.com to invest 11 billion pounds ($14 billion) to create "one
of Europe's most advanced standalone 5G networks"
Ofcom is proposing changes to the license conditions in an effort to win over politicians, unions and
for Digital Television Additional Services. These competition authorities. Vodafone UK Chief Executive
services are broadcast on Freeview and usually consist Ahmed Essam, who will lead the combined group,
of text or data – for example, they are used to broadcast said consumers would benefit. "We look forward to
software that allows a viewer to watch channels continuing the constructive conversations (with the
delivered via the internet – such as the Channel box CMA) now that the formal process has begun," he said.
service. Under the current license conditions for these Regulators have previously blocked some deals that
services, a warning must be displayed letting viewers reduce the number of networks from four to three. A
know they are about to view material delivered over 2016 British merger between Three UK and Telefonica's
the internet, which may not be regulated in the same O2 was stopped by the European Commission because
way as other television services. However, the current it was considered likely to result in higher prices.
wording of the license condition means that a warning (January 26, 2024) www.reuters.com

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair indicates more than 14 million homes and businesses
Jessica Rosenworcel proposed relaunching a rural in rural areas lacking 5G coverage. In 2020, the FCC
wireless broadband plan which would distribute up to agreed rules to create the 5G Fund for Rural America by
$9 billion for 5G in underserved areas of the US. The using a reverse auction process to allocate $9 billion
United 5G Fund for Rural America was unveiled by the FCC from its Universal Service Fund, but decided to wait
until the new broadband maps were created. “For the
in 2019, but Rosenworcel stated the new plan would
States be based on more granular data from the agency’s first time in our history of supporting wireless networks
improved national broadband coverage map, which through the universal service system, this agency has

131 JANUARY-MARCH 2024