Page 113 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The government is running a public consultation on a seeks input on the components of the initiative, the
multi-faceted project aimed at reducing the digital divide project’s beneficiaries, the environmental and social
by strengthening broadband infrastructure through the management framework, the participation of interested
installation of open fiber-optics, mobile/wireless and parties, and the mechanisms for handling claims and
Argentina satellite networks for localities not yet connected, complaints that may arise via the project. The program
the installation of four data centers for state-owned is the responsibility of the Directorate of Sectoral and
operator Arsat, and the promotion of digital skills, via Special Programs and Projects (DIPROSE).
a USD200 million World Bank loan. The consultation, (August 2, 2023) BN Americas
which is open to submissions until 14 September,

Following the announcement last week that NBN Co and remote areas have been announced by the Aus-
had submitted a revised variation proposal related to its tralian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Special Access Undertaking, the Australian Competition In launching a consultation on its plans, the regulator
and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now launched revealed it is proposing to carry out two spectrum al-
Australia a consultation on the matter. In announcing the start location processes: one in the 3.4GHz-4.0GHz band in
of the consultation, ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey remote areas; and one in the 3.8GHz band in metro and
said: ‘Our preliminary view is that NBN Co’s revised regional areas. The ACMA has suggested that spectrum
variation is a material improvement on its previous pro- in the aforementioned bands is considered ideal for the
posal … The revised variation appears to address the delivery of mobile broadband services including 5G,
concerns that led us to make a draft decision to reject private networks and ‘other technologies’ with the avail-
the previous proposal. It also appears to respond appro- able AWLs reportedly allowing for area-specific use. As
priately to the further issues that have arisen in recent such, the watchdog has said it expects the licenses will
months.’ Before issuing a final decision, however, the be taken up by ‘providers of wireless internet services,
ACCC has said it intends to assess the revised variation or for private networks run by organizations such as ter-
against the statutory criteria and consider whether it is tiary institutions, hospitals, mining operators or public
likely to promote the long-term interests of Australian transport hubs. Applications from any party interested
consumers and businesses. Of further note, the regu- in applying for an AWL in remote areas in the 3.4GHz-
lator has also stated that in its final assessment on the 4.0GHz band to support the deployment of services
matter it will consider submissions made in response to are already being accepted by the ACMA. Meanwhile,
NBN Co’s two previous SAU proposals, alongside feed- for accessing area wide licenses in metropolitan and
back gained in this most recent consultation paper. regional areas, the regulator has said it will initially con-
(August 23, 2023) www.commsupdate.com sult on the proposed allocation arrangements for the
3.8GHz band, looking at issues such as pricing, license
Plans to allocate a number of new area-wide licenses tenure and renewal, technical requirements and alloca-
(AWLs) which would accommodate more local area tion limits.
mobile broadband services in metropolitan, regional (July 6, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting & Telecoms has now been extended to 31 August. The RTR then ex-
(RTR) has extended the public consultation on the terms pects to hold the auction for the 5G-suitable spectrum
and conditions for its planned auction of nationwide in December at the earliest. Under the terms and con-
frequency usage rights in the 26GHz band and regional ditions, the 26GHz spectrum will be divided up into five
Austria usage rights in the previously unassigned 3410MHz- 1×200MHz blocks, ranging from 26.5GHz-27.5GHz, and
3470MHz range, which went unsold for seven regions one block of 1×400MHz (25.5GHz-25.9GHz), while the
in 2019. Interested parties were originally given until 8 3.6GHz spectrum is to be divided into seven regional
August to submit comments on the auction procedure blocks, including two of 1×10MHz, one of 1×40MHz and
documents, ahead of their formal publication, but this four of 1×60MHz. (July 28, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

113 JULY-AUGUST 2023