Page 106 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

is expected to allow operators to expand the scope of
The communications regulator revealed six companies existing mobile services and boost 5G networks, which
applied to take part in its multi-frequency spectrum are currently using temporary bandwidth released by
auction including all of the market’s existing operators, authorities to improve connectivity during the ongoing
with the sale expected to begin by the end of March. In a Covid-19 pandemic. The sale will include various
statement, the Independent Communications Authority allocations across the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2600MHz,
of South Africa (ICASA) announced it had received and 3500MHz bands and is expected to begin by 31
completed submissions from existing mobile players March. Winning bidders will have to adhere to a range
Vodacom, MTN, Telkom SA, Cell C and Rain Networks of terms including provisions for MVNOs and coverage
alongside Liquid Telecom. The regulator added a commitments. Under rules published last year, a new
submission had also been made from an organization entrant would also be required to purchase a minimum
called Women Building a Better Society but had been number of lots to ensure they become a credible
rejected as it missed the deadline. Spectrum on offer competitor. (January 4, 2021) mobileworldlive.com

The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (Post & have selected Ericsson and Nokia to deploy their
Telestyrelsen, PTS) completed its auction of 2.3GHz nationwide 5G radio access network. Tele2 had
and 3.5GHz 5G spectrum after four rounds of bidding previously named Nokia as its core network vendor for
on a single day, with all five incumbent cellcos securing Sweden and the Baltics. (January 20, 2021) commsupdate.com
Sweden licenses. Telia Sweden, Hi3G Access (Tre Sweden) and
Net4Mobility (the network sharing venture of Tele2 The Supreme Administrative Court in Sweden has
Sweden and Telenor Sweden) won spectrum in the ruled that Chinese vendor Huawei cannot challenge a
3.5GHz range, while 4G-only operator Teracom was decision to exclude its equipment from the country’s
the sole bidder for 2.3GHz frequencies. The sale raised 5G rollouts, meaning the delayed 5G spectrum
a total of SEK2.32 billion (USD273.7 million) for the auction should go ahead as planned on 19 January.
Treasury. According to a report from Reuters, Huawei says that
The full allocations are as follows: it is still awaiting a decision on two other appeals
• Tre Sweden: paid SEK491.25 million for 100MHz of lodged against the ban in November. The firm says
spectrum between 3400MHz-3500MHz going ahead with the auction while a legal challenge
• Net4Mobility: paid SEK665.5 million for 100MHz of is still pending would have ‘serious consequences.
spectrum between 3620MHz-3720MHz Swedish equipment firm Ericsson has supported
• Telia Sweden: paid SEK760.25 million for 120MHz of Huawei’s position, saying the ban is a restriction on
spectrum between 3500MHz-3620MHz free competition. Sweden’s Post and Telecom Agency
• Teracom: paid SEK400.0 million for 80MHz of (Post & Telestyrelsen, PTS) is auctioning 5G-capable
Spectrum between 2300MHz-2380MHz. spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz bands.
Separately, Net4Mobility partners Tele2 and Telenor (January 18, 2021) commsupdate.com

Taiwanese mobile operator Asia Pacific Telecom (APT) it has been noted that it would mark the first time in
has been told it needs to improve its 4G coverage before Taiwan that two cellcos had offered services using
it can share the 5G spectrum and network belonging the same spectrum and network. Commenting on the
to rival Far EasTone (FET). The stipulation was made matter, NCC Vice Chairman Wong Po-tsung said: ‘We
as the National Communications Commission (NCC) are cautiously optimistic about the partnership, but we
Taiwan began reviewing a partnership application from want the two carriers to offer more information on how
the two cellcos, with FET president Chee Ching and each of them can manage the network independently,
APT president Huang Nan-ren attending a weekly maintain 5G service quality, raise the service coverage
commissioners’ meeting to answer questions regarding rate and ensure full disclosure of information.’
the matter. In September 2020 FET agreed to pay TWD5 (January 15, 2021) The Taipei Times
billion (USD178 million) to acquire an 11.58% stake in
APT, while in a parallel move the two parties also inked The National Communications Commission (NCC)
a spectrum sharing deal, under which APT would gain has yet to set a timetable for releasing a portion
access to FET’s 5G-suitable 3.5GHz spectrum, paying of the 5G spectrum supporting private 5G network
TWD9.47 billion to use the frequencies, while also applications. The appropriation of the 5G spectrum
sharing network deployment costs. Should the NCC for private enterprise networks may not come until the
ultimately opt to approve the partnership application, government fixes the tariff rates for spectrum usage,

106 JANUARY 2021