Page 105 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining confirmed July 2020 with the approval of Law 19,889/2020, which
that the long-awaited launch of mobile number stipulated that mobile user have the right to number
portability officially came into force on 12th January. portability. Following this, a committee to oversee the
Mobile users were previously unable to retain their introduction of MNP was established. Its proposals
mobile number if they chose to switch between on the system’s general rules, regulatory conditions,
Uruguay networks. Under the new legislation, operators must and implementation timeframe were approved by
transfer numbers within three days and are obliged the government in January 2021. Over the course of
to cover the cost themselves, rather than charging the year, tests were set to commence in July ahead
consumers for the service. However, consumers may of a commercial launch on 1st October. In May 2020,
only transfer their number between networks three concerns around the security and transparency of
times per year. The ministry stated that the introduction the implementation led to the launch being pushed
of MNP would help to safeguard consumer rights, as back. In August, the Cleartech-Cietel consortium was
well as boosting competition between the country’s appointed as the database administrator for the first
mobile operators Antel, Claro and Movistar. As reported five years following the launch of MNP.
by TeleGeography, the introduction process began in (January 14, 2022) developingtelecoms.com

The telecoms regulator says the COVID–19 outbreak demonstrating an urgent need to bridge the digital
has exposed serious shortcomings in operators' divide. This can be achieved through government
capacity to meet demand for key services like intervention and innovative public-private partnerships
broadband coverage. In a commentary to the third aimed at improving the digital landscape by ensuring
quarter report on telecoms sector trends, the Postal access, equity and affordability of telecommunication
Zimbabwe and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) services to all. Particular attention needs to be paid to
called for immediate action to ensure that broadband rural areas as broadband coverage of technologies,"
coverage expands to all regions of the country. said Potraz. However, Potraz said a deal inked between
Potraz emphasized that the COVID–19 outbreak State-run mobile phone outfit, NetOne and Chinese
had demonstrated that broadband coverage was technology giant, Huawei helped improve broadband
increasingly becoming important. It said government provision on the market during the period. The US$400
should work with operators to ensure access to 000 deal between NetOne and Huawei involves the
this service is enhanced. "The ICT (information provision of high-end telecoms technologies to
communication technology) sector has transformed Zimbabwe's second biggest mobile phone firm. Potraz
and evolved due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the said while the growth was significant, pockets of
outbreak resulted in increased demand and acquisition deficits were still being experienced in rural areas. It was
of ICT services by consumers," Potraz said. "The also expected to unlock up to 1 500 job opportunities
sector is expected to continue evolving rapidly with during implementation. "NetOne has partnered with
increased innovation and enhanced connectivity in the Huawei on a broadband expansion project, hence
country. Going digital is now more important than ever the high number of deployments in the quarter under
with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to transform review," the telecoms regulator said. The data showed
how we live, work and interact with one another. As that Zimbabwe's three mobile telecoms firms - NetOne,
the pandemic continues to disrupt normality, the Telecel and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed
importance of a robust and inclusive digital economy, Econet Wireless, deployed five new 2G, 12 new 3G and
together with reliable broadband services is imperative. 37 LTE eNode Bs technology to their networks during
The pandemic has exposed access gaps in the country, the period. (January 2, 2022) bulawayo24.com

105 JANUARY 2022