Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority 5G across the government, enterprise and consumer
(URCA) of the Bahamas has floated the possibility sectors, as well which regions of the Bahamas show
of introducing a third player to the market this year the most demand – and need – for 5G. Additionally,
in its proposed Annual Plan for 2022. The advent URCA is looking to establish how much investment in
Bahamas of 5G is also firmly on the regulator’s agenda for infrastructure will be required to facilitate 5G services.
2022, with URCA noting that “The National Public TeleGeography reports that URCA is in the process of
Consultation will be guided by… the specific demand conducting a review of the market to assess the viability
for 5G services in the Bahamas and the different roles/ of a third market player. Once it has concluded this, the
types of 5G services in relation to the current 4G/LTE regulator will provide its policy recommendations to
mobile services.” Through the public consultation, the the government on the matter.
regulator is aiming to identify potential use cases for (January 9, 2022) developingtelecoms.com

Belgium approved spectrum auction rules which could Proximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/Base. BIPT
introduce a fourth MNO to a country with a population explained frequencies in the 900MHz (5MHz duplex),
of less than 12 million people and ramp competition 1800MHz (15MHz duplex), 2100MHz (5MHz duplex)
with the nation’s current major operators. The Belgian and 700MHz (5MHz duplex) have been reserved for
Belgium Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications a new entrant. Candidates have until 16 February to
(BIPT) issued a call for tender for the long-awaited submit their bids and the auction is due to take place
auction, which will assign new frequencies for 5G in June. Proximus launched 5G services in April 2020,
networks, and existing 2G, 3G and 4G radio spectrum. making use of existing spectrum assets along with a
Licenses in the 700MHz, 900MHz, 1400MHz, 1800MHz, temporary license in the 3.6GHz to 3.8GHz band which
2.1GHz and 3.6GHz frequency bands will be up for was awarded to all three existing players. Last month,
grabs. The 700MHz, 1400MHz and 3.6GHz bands Telenet outlined plans to employ the temporary license
are designated for 5G. Notably, the auction includes and existing 4G frequencies to launch 5G in limited
a package of spectrum reserved for a possible new areas.
MNO, which would then compete with existing players (January 17, 2022) mobileworldlive.com

The telecom regulator Anatel postponed its ruling on The government launched its 770km ‘Infovia 00’
the sale of Oi SA OIBR3.SA mobile operations, as one of fiber-optic cable on Friday 14 January, as it seeks to
its board members asked for more time to analyze the bring broadband connectivity to one million residents
matter. The regulator's next scheduled meeting would of the states of Amapa and Para, ‘including riverside
Brazil be on Feb. 10, but it decided to set a new extraordinary dwellers and artisanal fishermen’. The fiber-optic
meeting for Monday, Jan. 31. Oi'sobile operations
cables are being installed along riverbeds to reduce
are expected to be sold to local rivals TIM SA TIMS3. the environmental impact. The initiative is part of the
SA, Telefonica Brasil's Vivo VIVT3.SA and Claro, a Ministry of Communications-backed ‘Norte Conectado’
subsidiary of Mexico's America Movil AMXL.MX. They program, itself a part of the ‘Programa Amazonia
won the assets in a 2020 auction with a joint bid of Integrada Sustentavel’ (Sustainable Integrated
16.5 billion reais ($3.06 billion). Prior to board member Amazon Program). The deployment of the Infovia 00
Vicente Aquino requesting an additional period of time network is expected to be completed by 31 January,
to review the matter, rapporteur Emmanoel Campelo with metropolitan networks due to be deployed by
had recommended the deal be approved with a few March 2022. Studies regarding the implementation
reservations. Shares in Oi were stable at 1.01 real in of ‘Infovia 01’, which will connect Santarem (Para) to
afternoon trading, after falling as much as 7% earlier. Manaus (Amapa), are underway, with that phase of the
TIM's shares were up about 0.5% and Telefonica Brasil project expected to take place in the fourth quarter of
about 0.8% each, while Brazil's Bovespa stock index. 2022. A total of eight subfluvial cables will be deployed,
BVSP dropped 0.1%. (January 31, 2022) nasdaq.com spanning 12,000km and traversing the Amazonas,
Negro, Solimoes, Madeira, Purus, Jurua and Rio Branco
rivers. (January 18, 2022) commsupdate.com

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