Page 134 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Romania’s ANCOM Lays Out 5G Auction Proposals

Romanian regulator ANCOM (National Authority for Management across all bands. The regulator has laid out its proposed alloca-
and Regulation in Communications) has begun a consultation on tions and reserve prices for each band. The 700MHz band will have
its upcoming 5G spectrum auctions. Spectrum in the 700MHz, six 2×5MHz blocks available at a reserve price of EUR55 million per
1500MHz, 2600MHz and 3400MHz-3800MHz frequency bands will lot, as well as three unpaired blocks of 5MHz SDL for EUR14 mil-
go to auction later in the year, and ANCOM has proposed a reserve lion per lot. In the 1500MHz band, eight unpaired blocks of 5MHz
price of EUR694 million (USD693 million) for 555MHz of spectrum SDL will be available for EUR6 million per lot, while in the 2600MHz
band four blocks of 2×5 MHz FDD will be up for auction with a
reserve price of EUR3.25 million per lot. Finally, 40 unpaired blocks
of 10MHz TDD will be available in the in the 3400MHz-3800MHz
band for EUR6.5 million per lot. Licenses will be valid from either
2023 or 2026, with a validity period of 20 years. This does not apply
to the 2600MHz band; there are active usage rights in this frequen-
cy which extend for another six years and three months, and so
permits for this band that are sold in the upcoming auctions will
be aligned with these. ANCOM’s draft proposals require winning
bidders to provide broadband coverage in urban areas and along
major transport routes and hubs, as well as connecting 600 un-
derserved localities. Stakeholders have until 27th July to provide
feedback on the proposed license costs and payment terms.

FCC Establishes ECIP to Help Make Underutilized Spectrum Available to

Rural Carriers, Tribal Nations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to cre-
ate a new ‘Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (ECIP)’ to es-
tablish incentives for mobile licensees to make underutilized spec-
trum available to small carriers, Tribal Nations and entities serving
rural areas. The new program encourages licensees to partition,
disaggregate or lease spectrum to better match available spec-
trum resources with entities that seek to provide needed services
to under-connected communities. The action builds upon Con-
gressional goals in the ‘MOBILE NOW Act’ to incentivize beneficial
transactions in the public interest. Transactions through the new
program must offer at least half of the licensed spectrum from a
given Wireless Radio Service license to an unaffiliated eligible enti-
ty for long-term use within specific geographic parameters.

Democrats Push for US Net Neutrality Reinstatement

US politicians Senator Edward J. Markey, Senator Ron Wyden and sweeping than ever. My legislation would reverse the damaging
Representative Doris Matsui have introduced the ‘Net Neutrality approach adopted by the Trump FCC, which left broadband access
and Broadband Justice Act’, as they seek to classify broadband unregulated, and consumers unprotected. It would give the FCC
access as a ‘telecommunications service’ under Title II of the Com- the tools it needs to protect the free and open internet, creating
munications Act, giving the Federal Communications Commission a just broadband future for everyone in our country.’ According to
(FCC) the appropriate authority to reinstate net neutrality protec- TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in December 2017 the
tions. Senator Markey commented: ‘The Net Neutrality and Broad- FCC voted in favor of repealing Net Neutrality rules. The plan was
band Justice Act reflects the undeniable fact that today, broad- approved following a 3-2 vote – split along Republican-Democrat
band is not a luxury. It is essential. That means the potential harms party lines. As such, the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order
that internet users face without strong net neutrality protections took effect on 11 June 2018, scrapping the Title II rules and revert-
and without the FCC able to exercise its proper authority are more ing internet services to their Title I ‘information service’ status.

134 JULY-AUGUST 2022