Page 99 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

the mid-band spectrum, while Bharti Airtel called for it to break even, but noted operators in other nations
to be kept at no more than 10 per cent above the rate typically struggled to add 10 per cent. The operator
recommended in 2018. Jio also proposed the price of also suggested giving away 600MHz spectrum with
mmWave spectrum be kept at 0.01 per cent of the mid- stringent deployment obligations, to boost rural
band price, an option Vodafone Idea supports. Airtel broadband coverage. All three operators are trialing 5G
indicated its investment in a nationwide 5G network networks, with most urging the government to release
could be be as high as INR500 billion ($6.8 billion) the necessary spectrum, particularly in mmWave
excluding spectrum costs, ET wrote. The operator bands.
stated it would require a 20 per cent increase in revenue (January 13, 2022) The Economic Times

The Ministry of Communication and Information (MCI, 8% for upload throughput’. IOH’s senior vice president
KemKominfo) has outlined the small print contained and head of corporate communications Steve Saerang
within its approval of the merger of Indosat Ooredoo said, however, that the company had yet to determine
and Hutchison 3 Indonesia (Tri), to create an enlarged the new network coverage areas. ‘The company
Indonesia entity named Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH). will go on regional visits and discuss investment
Qatar-based Ooredoo and CK Hutchison Holdings of commitments in each region,’ he told reporters.
Hong Kong announced the completion of the USD6 (January 6, 2022) commsupdate.com
billion merger of their respective telecommunications
businesses in Indonesia, creating the archipelago’s Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and
second largest mobile network operator behind Information (MCI KemKominfo) has reportedly asked
Telkomsel (Telekomunikasi Selular), with estimated the country’s incumbent mobile network operators
annual revenue of approximately USD3 billion. Now (MNOs) to phase out 3G mobile technology in favors of
though, Minister of Communication and Information bolstering 4G or 5G coverage for mobile data services.
Johnny G Plate has outlined a number of ‘expectations Minister of Communication and Information Johnny
and conditions’ under which the combination was G Plate said: ‘This 4G signal is the backbone of our
approved. Specifically, the MCI has tasked IOH to national communication. I’ve also asked the cellular
increase the number of on-air base stations by a operators to fade out 3G. Why is 3G being faded out
minimum 11,400 by 2025, at which time it must have instead of 2G? Because it’s a different user. 2G is voice
at least 52,885 sites across the country. Secondly, communication, while 3G is data communication.’
the minister said that the enlarged operator will be However, local industry watchers note that the
expected to expand service coverage to at least 7,660 government will need to address how it could achieve
new villages and sub-districts by 2025 – meaning this given that currently, some 83,218 villages/
that the total coverage area served by IOH’s cellular kelurahan are still not covered by 4G networks, while
services would need to be at least 59,538 villages and out of 12,548 villages/kelurahan, 9,113 are located in
sub-districts by that date. In addition, Mr. Plate has the Frontier, Remotest and Disadvantaged (so-called
called on the company to improve its quality of service ‘3T’) areas.
(QoS) by ‘at least 12.5% for download throughput and (January 6, 2022) commsupdate.com

Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation and the ‘Communications Regulation (Enforcement)
(ComReg) has issued an update regarding the Bill, 2022’; a priority drafting of the latter Bill was
European Electronic Communications Code, saying approved by Ireland’s Cabinet on 14 December.
that it ‘understands the Code transposition into ComReg has, meanwhile, reiterated that electronic
Ireland national law will be delayed’. The regulator’s statement communications providers must continue to comply
comes after the Department of Environment, Climate with their obligations, while saying it will continue to
and Communications (DECC) announced that primary regulate the sector under its existing powers, adding
and secondary legislation will give effect to the that ‘redress mechanisms for customers will continue
transposition of the EECC. Specifically, such legislation unchanged until new legislation is introduced’.
will comprise the forthcoming ‘European Union (January 20, 2022) commsupdate.com
(Electronic Communications Code) Regulations, 2022’

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