Page 76 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

True and DTAC Set to Merge Before End of First Quarter

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and that would see one share in DTAC equate DTAC’s at THB47.76.
Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) to 24.5 shares in the merged entity, while
has stated that the merger between DTAC one share in True would equate to 2.4
and True Corporation is set to go ahead, shares. The companies expressed an in-
with the companies submitting confirma- tention to list the merged unit on the SET.
tion of their intent. According to local out- DTAC and True’s respective parent compa-
let prachachat.net, the merger is expected nies Telenor Asia and Charoen Pokphand
to close in Q1 2022 after receiving approv- (CP) Holding have formed a joint venture
al from the operators’ respective boards of known as Citrine Global Company, and it
executives on 19th November 2021. The is this unit which will make a conditional
companies will take equal stakes in the voluntary tender offer for the entire share-
newly merged entity. TeleGeography re- holding of the two companies, with True
ports that the firms agreed to a swap ratio shares priced at THB5.09 (USD0.15) and

MTN Opposes Telkom’s Application to Halt ICASA Spectrum Auction

MTN has filed papers to oppose rival Tel- stakeholders until 31 January to submit players. We cannot have a repeat of 2021,
kom’s urgent application to interdict ICASA their applications. MTN South Africa CEO where the entire process was delayed for
from proceeding with Invitations To Apply Charles Molapisi said: ‘While the current another full year, and that on the back of
(ITAs) for IMT spectrum. Icasa published ITA is not perfect, we believe the regulator 14 years of no additional spectrum being
the final ITA on 10 December 2021, giving has tried to strike a delicate balance for all added to the industry.’

EU Offers €258M Fund For 5G and Gigabit Networks

The European Commission (EC) invited interested parties to European Union. A total of €258 million is currently up for grabs,
bid for fresh funding aimed squarely at improving 5G, cloud and appears to be spread over 11 projects with a submission
infrastructure and high-speed Gigabit networks throughout the deadline of 22 March. A particular focus is being placed on 5G
coverage along cross-border corridors and for local communities.
The call for proposals comes under the digital part of Connecting
Europe Facility (CEF Digital), a key EU funding instrument. The
move follows the adoption of the first work program for CEF
Digital in December 2021, which earmarked more than €1 billion in
funding for the period from 2021 to 2023. A total planned budget
for CEF Digital is up to €2 billion by 2027. The entire Connecting
Europe Facility program, which supports investment in trans-
European digital, transport, and energy networks, is worth €33.7
billion from 2021 to 2027. A initial generation of CEF, covering
2014 to 2020, contributed to free Wi-Fi program WiFi4EU, along
with other cross-border digital infrastructures and services, the
EC noted.

China Cyberspace Regulator Says It Will Build Solid National Cyber Security

Barrier

China will speed up establishment of a comprehensive internet battle for core technologies in the information field, it said in a
governance system and build a solid national cyber security statement on its website. It also stressed the need to expand and
barrier, the cyberspace regulator said recently. China will win the strengthen mainstream online opinion.

76 JANUARY 2022