Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

There are rumors that Cote d’Ivoire could get a new ARTCI) has imposed a minimum price per MB of
mobile operator, possibly in the form of the country’s XOF0.80 (USD0.001), but CI-DATA is looking to provide
first MVNO, under the name CI-DATA. A launch had data connectivity at prices which are well below this
been planned for earlier this month, with the necessary rate. According to the report, the telco is working with
approvals already obtained, but a delay has been authorities to resolve the issue to enable it to launch
caused due to an issue with its proposed tariffs. For services, initially in the former capital and largest city
mobile data services, the Regulatory Authority for Abidjan before expanding to other areas.
Telecommunications in Cote d’Ivoire (Autorite de (June 28, 2023) Linfodrome
Regulation des Telecommunications de Cote d’Ivoire,

The Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Opera- operator Hrvatski Telekom (HT) in the specified mar-
tions (Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrezne djelat- kets, effectively removing price controls on its retail
nosti, HAKOM) has approved the deregulation of fixed and wholesale services. HAKOM has recently notified
broadband services in 72 markets where it has been the European Commission of its intentions. HT’s rivals
Croatia deemed that there is sufficient competition to incum- say that this will hamper competition by reinforcing
bent operator Hrvatski Telekom (HT) and its ISP subsid- its dominant position; Deutsche Telekom subsidiary
iary Iskon. The HT and Iskon will no longer be subject to HT currently controls 59% of Croatia’s market for retail
price regulation and will have the same status as rivals fixed broadband subscriptions. Adrian Jezina, CEO of
such as A1 and Telemach. The 72 markets are in urban alternative operator Telemach Croatia, said: ‘HAKOM’s
areas where alternative fixed broadband providers have decision to deregulate now will entrench the position of
deployed their own infrastructure. They include 14 of the dominant market player for another generation, ben-
the 17 operating areas in the capital Zagreb; the entire efiting Deutsche Telekom at the expense of Croatian
territory of Croatia has been divided into 572 separate consumers. Our entry into the market as a third player
markets. Operators have been given 120 days to pre- has already stimulated competition and led to greater
pare for the change, meaning the current regulatory ob- investment. Now is the time to be encouraging compe-
ligations will be in place until early December. tition to invest further in infrastructure to create a more
(August 1, 2023) Poslovni Dnevnik competitive environment. Croatia needs an encourag-
ing and stable regulatory framework, which will boost
Alternative operators in Croatia are reportedly unhap- investments by all operators without favoritism. We
py with a decision to deregulate 72 local markets for hope that the European Commission carefully reviews
fixed broadband access. A report from Broadband TV HAKOM’s proposal to ensure that it is harmonized with
News says that the Croatian Regulatory Agency for the practices of the European Union, and in the best
Network Operations (Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za long-term interest of consumers in Croatia.’
mrezne djelatnosti, HAKOM) wants to remove the sig- (July 13, 2023) Broadband TV News
nificant market player (SMP) designation for incumbent

The government has announced it will temporarily due to expire in November 2023. Ecuador’s Agency for
extend America Movil’s mobile operating concession Regulation & Control of Telecommunications (Agencia
beyond its expiry on 26 August. The group’s Ecuadorian de Regulacion y Control de las Telecomunicaciones,
subsidiary Conecel, which trades under the brand ARCOTEL) had earlier sought to allay fears of potential
Ecuador Claro, will pay USD3.366 million per month during service disruption following the suspension of
the extension period. ‘The extension will be valid concession renewal negotiations last May. (August 23, 2023)
until the newly renegotiated contract is signed, which www.commsupdate.com
is estimated to take approximately six months,’
Telecommunications Minister Vianna Maino revealed The Agency for Regulation & Control of
at a news conference. The new contract will run for 15 Telecommunications (Agencia de Regulacion y Control
years, Maino said, adding the parties are evaluating the de las Telecomunicaciones, ARCOTEL) has stressed
final value and new conditions. Claro had some 9.29 that there will be no disruption to services following
million mobile subscriptions on its books at 30 June the suspension of negotiations to renew the mobile
2023, equivalent to a 52% share of the market. The concessions of Conecel (which operates under the
government is also considering a possible extension for Claro brand) and Otecel (owner of the Movistar and
Telefonica’s Otecel subsidiary (owner of the Movistar Tuenti brands), which are set to expire in August and
and Tuenti brands), the minister added. That contract is November 2023 respectively. In a statement the

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