Page 166 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

accomplish both goals.’ Note: in total, President Biden’s Wireless, DISH Network is registered as Carbonate
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Wireless.) In the US overseas territories, meanwhile,
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has committed bidders include Puerto Rican operators Aeronet Wireless
USD65 billion to ensure all Americans have access to Broadband and Puerto Rico Telephone Company (Claro);
affordable, reliable internet access. American Samoa Telecommunications Authority
(July 15, 2022) commsupdate.com (ASTCA) and AST Telecom (Bluesky) in American
Samoa; DOCOMO Pacific and PTI Pacifica (IT&E), which
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) operate in Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands;
has confirmed that 82 applicants are qualified to bid and Guam-based TeleGuam Holdings (GTA). Auction
in Auction 108. Notable bidders on the complete list 108 will offer new flexible‐use geographic overlay
include: Cellco Partnership (Verizon Wireless), AT&T licenses in the 2496MHz-2690MHz (2.5GHz) band. Up
Auction Holdings, United States Cellular Corporation to three blocks of spectrum will be licensed on a county
(UScellular), T-Mobile License (T-Mobile US) and Cellular basis, meaning approximately 8,000 licenses will be up
South Licenses (C Spire). (Note: according to Fierce for grabs. (July 13, 2022) commsupdate.com

Telecoms regulator the Zambia Information and the country.’ (August 5, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has
published a revised ‘5G Spectrum Roadmap’ setting out The Zambia Information and Communication
updated timelines for its planned release of spectrum Technology Authority (ZICTA) has announced the
Zambia in the 700MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz bands. As per the results of its tender for the allocation of new spectrum
in the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands, launched in April
updated roadmap for ‘high demand spectrum’, ZICTA
revealed that 700MHz frequencies which had initially 2022. In a press release confirming the outcome of the
been expected to be released in the first quarter of spectrum sale, ZICTA revealed it had raised a total of
2023 will now be issued earlier, in Q3 2022. Meanwhile, USD41.55 million in the sale process, with Airtel Zambia
the regulator also announced that a 40MHz block in emerging as the biggest spender; the cellco offered a
the 2600MHz band that went unsold in its tender of total of USD29.00 million for 20MHz in the 800MHz
800MHz/2600MHz frequencies – which concluded band and 50MHz in the 2600MHz band. Meanwhile,
last month – will now be reoffered in 3Q22. Finally, the MTN Zambia bid USD12.55 million for 50MHz in the
regulator has announced that spectrum in the 26GHz 2600MHz band. ZICTA noted, however, that a 40MHz
band will be open for assignment on a first-come, first- block in the 2600MHz remained unsold. Commenting on
serve basis in the fourth quarter of 2022; previously it the matter, a statement from ZICTA said: ‘The licensing
had said it intended to offer these frequencies in 3Q22. of the 20MHz spectrum in the 800MHz band and two
In a statement regarding the revised timelines, the lots of the 50MHz spectrum bands in the 2600MHz will
ZICTA noted: ‘These critical changes to the roadmap provide improved quality of service on both voice and
are part of the urgent measures to improve competition data services as well as facilitate the deployment of
in the ICT sector, promote investment and accelerate 5G services and expand network coverage by ensuring
the extensive provision of services in underserved that services are taken to the underserved and unserved
and unserved areas as well as improve the quality of areas of the country’.
electronic communication services for consumers in (July 22, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory to conduct a tariff review. TelOne and rival operator
Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has allowed the Econet Wireless immediately hiked their prices after
country’s telcos to implement tariff increases to help the POTRAZ announcement, with Econet’s voice call
them combat soaring inflation and a weakening local rates rising from ZWD10.01 (USD0.027) per minute
Zimbabwe currency. The last headline tariff review was made in to ZWD16.11. Meanwhile, the cost of TelOne’s 10GB
September last year, since when inflation has risen from
data bundle has increased from ZWD1,499 a month
51% to more than 191% as of June 2022, The Herald to ZWD2,413. Other local providers are expected to
writes. Last month state-owned fixed line operator introduce similar tariff increases.
TelOne said it was struggling to stay in business amid (July 13, 2022) commsupdate.com
the ongoing economic crisis and called on POTRAZ

166 JULY-AUGUST 2022