Page 115 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) from BRL167 million to BRL227 million. The new
has readjusted the values of the country’s fixed values represent the price that an operator must pay if
switched telephone services (servicos de telefonia fixa it wishes to leave the concession regime and migrate
comutada, STFC) concessions. The value of Oi’s STFC to an authorization model. The companies will not
concession has increased from BRL12.1 billion (USD2.5 disburse the money to the government, but will assume
billion) to BRL19.9 billion, with the new price split network investment commitments equivalent to the
between legacy concessionaires Telemar (BRL13.4 given amount. The concessionaires now have 120 days
billion) and Brasil Telecom (BRL6.5 billion). The value within which to notify Anatel of their final decisions. All
of Vivo’s concession has increased from BRL7.7 billion concessions are currently scheduled to run until 2025;
to BRL8.7 billion, while Claro’s has climbed from BRL2.2 if a telco switches to the authorization model, a new
billion to BRL4.1 billion and Algar Telecom’s has jumped concessionaire will be sought for its operating region.
from BRL275 million to BRL579 million. Finally, the (July 25, 2023) TeleSintese
value of Sercomtel’s concession has been readjusted

The Telecommunications Regulation and Control plans to release spectrum in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz,
Agency (ARCT) has published its roadmap for the 2.5GHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz bands, with the granting
deployment of 5G services in the country, setting out a of authorizations to test 5G scheduled to take place in
target of July 2024 for the introduction of commercial January 2024. Whilst the details are still to be decided,
Burundi services. The ARCT notes that the availability of the roadmap notes that ‘Depending on the availability
frequencies is a major issue for the development of
of the spectrum and the needs of the market, the ARCT
5G and that the successful deployment of 5G requires may set up a mechanism [e.g. auction] for selecting
the timely availability of sufficient spectrum under candidates for the use of the spectrum predefined
appropriate conditions. It plans to assign a continuous in advance.’ Backed by a public awareness program
band of 60MHz-100MHz in the sub-6GHz bands along outlining the benefits of 5G (which is slated to begin
with at least 800MHz of millimeter wave (mmWave) in August 2023), commercial services are expected to
spectrum above 6GHz. In December 2023 the regulator launch in July 2024. (July 4, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The telecoms watchdog the Regulatory Authority for of understanding (MoU) signed between the regulator
Electronic Communications and Post (L’Autorite de and the providers in July 2021. The pair agreed to
Regulation des Communications Electroniques et des invest XAF29 billion (Airtel) and XAF27 billion (Moov) in
Postes, ARCEP) has ordered Airtel Chad to pay a fine of network development over the subsequent three years,
Chad XAF5 billion (USD8.3 million) for failing to meet quality following complaints from customers regarding the
poor service quality from the operators. As part of the
of service (QoS) standards. ARCEP had conducted an
audit on the QoS of the mobile networks of cellcos Airtel MoU, ARCEP established a new committee to monitor
Chad and Moov Africa Chad and found a ‘noticeable the investments and the impact on service quality. After
deterioration in quality’ for Airtel’s services, whilst the first year, the regulator found that the results were
Moov’s network had seen a ‘marked improvement’ in below expectations and urged the cellcos to comply
cities but coverage of main roads remained ‘mediocre’. with their commitments and improve QoS.
The audit was conducted in line with a memorandum (August 21, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Chinese industry watchdog the Ministry of Industry and dated framework also include additional regulatory sup-
Information Technology (MIIT) has issued new regula- port for satellite communications, with the addition of
tions on radio frequency allocation, which will take ef- rules for maritime mobile satellite services and mobile
fect from 1 July 2023. The rules update China’s nation- satellite services on the 150MHz and 400MHz bands,
China al frequency plan, designating spectrum in the 6GHz, and the 17.7GHzGHz-19.7GHz and 27.5GHz-29.5GHz
26GHz, 40GHz and 70GHz bands for International Mo-
ranges for satellite earth stations. In addition, the MIIT
bile Telecommunications (IMT) services, including 5G notes that the regulations ensure the safety of frequen-
and 6G technologies. The MIIT claims that the move cy use for major aerospace projects, by providing clar-
makes China the first country in the world to allocate ity on interference protection for certain radio services
the 6GHz band for IMT systems, adding that it promotes including earth exploration satellite services, space re-
the consistent regional and global frequency allocation search and radio astronomy.
in that band, and provides sufficient mid-band spectrum (June 28, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
resources for the development of 5G and 6G. The up-
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