Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) feedback to a stakeholder consultation related to the
has launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) concession. In launching the RFQ, the watchdog noted
for Ethiopia’s second new nationwide full-service that it has given ‘due consideration’ to the outcome of
telecommunications license, known as ‘License B’. its public consultations, while also claiming to have
Ethiopia Announcing the development, the regulator said it was adopted ‘several value-creation measures to enhance
inviting ‘world-class’ telecommunications operators
the attractiveness of the opportunity’. Parties interested
to take part in what it called an ‘exciting opportunity in receiving the RFQ have been advised to send a written
to operate within Ethiopia’s rapidly growing economy’. request to the ECA, while the watchdog has confirmed a
With the license issuance process for License B having deadline of 15 September 2023 for applications for the
resumed in November 2022, at that date the ECA invited concession. (July 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The telecom regulator Arcep has authorized an amend- 2G/3G/4G networks over a large portion of metropolitan
ment to the existing network sharing agreement be- France, with a temporary 4G roaming solution. In 2016,
tween Bouygues Telecom and SFR to include 5G tech- in an amendment to this contract, Bouygues Telecom
nology. The duo submitted the contractual amendments and SFR agreed upon a trajectory for the gradual end
France to the regulator in January 2023 and following a public of SFR roaming on the Bouygues Telecom network by
discussion on the topic, Arcep disclosed that it does the end of 2018. In February 2020 a new amendment
not appear necessary to request that Bouygues Tele- to the contract was sent to Arcep which covered the fu-
com and SFR modify their agreement: ‘In particular, the ture deployment of new 2G, 3G and 4G cell sites. SFR
addition of 5G technology and the reassessment of de- initially launched its 5G commercial network in Nice in
ployment objectives for new cell sites on the shared net- November 2020, with Bouygues Telecom following suit
work help to satisfy the quality of service requirements in December 2020; SFR currently provides 5G coverage
fueled by ongoing advances in mobile services and new in 7,000 municipalities, while Bouygues claims 5G cov-
generation network coverage needs.’ The sharing agree- erage in nearly 12,400 towns and municipalities.
ment between the two operators was signed in 2014 for (July 28, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
a period of 20 years. It initially included the sharing of

Georgian mobile operator Cellfie Mobile, which was mutual interests, rather than being forced and coerced
known as VEON (Beeline) until April 2023, was the only into doing so. (August 25, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
participant in the country’s 5G spectrum auction, after
larger competitors MagtiCom and SilkNet opted not Georgia is set to commence 5G auctions next month
Georgia to participate in the process. According to telecoms after the country’s Communications Commission
approved the sale of airwaves in the 700MHz, 800MHz,
regulator the Communications Commission, Cellfie
Mobile secured spectrum in the 1800MHz band 1800MHz, 2600MHz and 3.5GHz bands. The regulator
(2×5MHz) for GEL1.386 million and the 2600MHz confirmed that 24 lots will be made available across
range (two lots for GEL226,000 apiece), as well as four auctions, to be conducted between 16th and
frequencies in the 700MHz (2×5MHz) and 3500MHz 23rd August 2023. The holdings will be combined into
(1×50MHz) bands for a combined GEL2.657 million. It is four abstract lots, with varying prices and coverage
required to pay 30% of the total cost of GEL4.497 million obligations, with the first having a reserve price of
within one month. Spectrum licenses for the 1800MHz GEL6.23 million (US$2.37 million), the second GEL2.53
and 2600MHz carry an obligation to allow network million, the third GEL2.59 million and the fourth GEL2.65
access to MVNOs on fair and non-discriminatory million. For three of the combined lots, winning bidders
terms. According to the regulator, MagtiCom and will be obliged to provide fair and non-discriminatory
SilkNet objected to this obligation, while in turn the network access to MVNOs – one lot is exempt from
duo accused the Communications Commission of this requirement. The build-out requirements focus
‘deliberately spreading misinformation’ and ‘misleading on the most populous areas of the country as well as
the public’, adding that the regulator did not take their key infrastructure such as ports, airports, railways and
comments and suggestions on the planned auction highways, although companies can expand coverage
into consideration. Furthermore, the pair reiterated gradually over the next three to seven years.
that they welcome the introduction of MVNOs, but on (July 11, 2023) www.developingtelecoms.com
a commercially negotiated basis, taking into account

119 JULY-AUGUST 2023