Page 164 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A recent meeting of Russia’s State Commission for 2020 MTS was awarded a commercial nationwide 5G
Radio Frequencies (SCRF) under the Ministry of Digital mmWave license in the 24.25GHz-24.65GHz band
Development, Communications & Mass Media resolved (within the ‘n258/26000’ official band), valid for five years,
to transfer millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies in although MTS admitted that requirements for Russian-
Russia the 24.25GHz-27.5GHz band from existing radio relay produced equipment might restrict its development
station usage to 5G access networks. The Ministry
of services in the band. Temporary trial 5G permits
has developed proposals for amending the national have meanwhile been issued for other frequencies
frequency table in accordance with the resolution. in the 25.25GHz-27.5GHz range, supporting pilot/
Furthermore, a resolution was reached to proceed with test networks for operators including MTS, MegaFon,
plans to allocate the ‘4GHz’ band to public wireless Rostelecom/Tele2 and Beeline, while MTS currently
services usage to help support network operators’ 5G operates a 4.9GHz 5G user pilot in several cities.
rollouts. Initiatives may come into force from 2023 Furthermore, in December 2021 the SCRF allocated the
onwards. The Ministry also clarified that all such 4400MHz-4555MHz and 4630MHz-4990MHz bands to
developments should be implemented using Russian- the multi-operator New Digital Solutions joint venture
produced base stations only. Only a small part of the under a two-year test permit.
mmWave band has so far been released for 5G: in July (July 8, 2022) TelecomDaily

The Independent Communications Authority of bands within the designated frequency ranges is to
South Africa (Icasa) has begun the process of increase nationwide broadband access for all citizens
making more radio frequency spectrum available to by 2025. “The Authority reiterates its determination to
telecommunications operators who want to provide support the development and uptake of IMT services
South Africa broadband services. Icasa said that the purpose of the for the benefit of economic growth, job creation and
notice is to solicit views from interested stakeholders access by the people of South Africa to online services,
regarding the IMT radio frequency spectrum bands to information and communication. The current IMT
be considered by Icasa further stated that the second Roadmap process and the Long-term Spectrum Outlook
phase of the IMT Spectrum licensing process will consultation signal the Authority’s commitment to
provide additional capacity to licensees in order to meet making the necessary spectrum available in an orderly
the continuous demand for capacity growth in mobile and timely fashion,” Icasa said in a statement. “The
services. The authority said that this will also contribute current information memorandum is primarily focused
towards achieving the capabilities and requirements of to proceed with the licensing of the unsold “Lot 9” in
IMT-2020 systems and beyond for the deployment of the 800 MHz radio frequency band, resultant from
Fifth Generation (5G) Networks in order to achieve the the inaugural auction, and those mid band IMT radio
South Africa Connect targets, as well as to contribute frequency channels that are currently and immediately
to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. available", Councillor Peter Zimri of Icasa said.
The main aim of licensing the low and mid frequency (August 21, 2022) www.iol.co.za

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) 3.42GHz), having reviewed the usage plans for the
has confirmed it plans to award new 5G suitable spectrum submitted by the MNO last month. Earlier
frequencies to mobile network operator (MNO) LG this month the MSIT revealed that LG Uplus was the
Uplus. In December 2021 the MSIT said it would open only company to have applied for the frequencies in
South Korea bidding for a 20MHz block of spectrum in the 3.5GHz question. According to local press reports, meanwhile,
band (3.40GHz-3.42GHz), following a request by LG it is understood that LG Uplus will pay KRW152.1 billion
Uplus, before subsequently stating the new frequencies for its new spectrum, with the frequency allocation itself
would be priced at KRW135.5 billion (USD113 million). to be valid between 1 November 2022 and 30 November
However, in February 2022 it delayed the awarding of 2028. Of note, as part of the spectrum award LG Uplus
the frequencies amid a continued dispute between has agreed to an obligation under which it must have
operators related to the terms of the frequency sale. constructed a total of 130,000 5G base stations by the
Now, in a press release confirming its decision regarding end of this year, rising to 150,000 by the end of 2025.
the spectrum allocation, the MSIT said it plans to award (July 15, 2022) commsupdate.com
LG Uplus a 20MHz block in the 3.4GHz band (3.40GHz-

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