Page 127 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, be issued multi-band 5G spectrum valid up to that date,
IT & Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) of Russia has including frequencies within the 694MHz-790MHz band
indicated that approximately 9.5 million mobile SIM previously issued to broadcasters, the 4.8GHz-4.99GHz
cards in the country are currently liable to have services range (already prioritized by the Ministry as a key 5G
Russia blocked unless their owners update their personal resource) and the thus-far withheld 3.4GHz-3.8GHz
registry information this month. Mobile network band ‘in intelligence compatibility mode’. The sole 5G
operators (MNOs) are mandated to block all SIMs licensee would be required to implement a ‘frequency
of incorrectly registered/unidentified users under sharing system’ allowing law enforcement agencies
tightened-up legal measures effective from the start of to shut down network signals in any given location.
August, or else face liability under the Administrative Kommersant’s report indicated the ‘single’ 5G operator
Code (Article 13.29). Within three days of receiving is likely to be a consortium of market participants
a list of offending mobile phone numbers from involving state-owned Rostelecom. National fixed
Roskomnadzor, MNOs must notify the SIM user who operator Rostelecom – the parent of cellco Tele2
has 15 days to update personal information via either Russia – is part of 5G development joint venture New
the State Services online portal, the MNO’s app, or in Digital Solutions, also including MegaFon, Beeline and
person at a service/sales outlet, otherwise the number Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), the quartet having finalized
will be blocked in accordance with the provisions of their 25% stakes in July 2022, with an initial focus on
the Law on Communications. The Law No. 533 of 30 R&D and measures to release spectrum from existing
December 2020 – which entered force on 1 June 2021 usage, prioritizing the 694MHz-790MHz, 3.4GHz-
– made amendments to the Law on Communications 3.8GHz, 4.4GHz-4.99GHz and 24.25GHz-29.5GHz
introducing more stringent procedures for telecoms ranges. The key 3.4GHz-3.8GHz range is partly utilized
service subscriptions and consequently in late 2022 by Roscosmos and others for satellite communications
the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications & for government/military/intelligence agencies and has
Mass Media stated that in 18 months since Law No. 533 been repeatedly blocked for commercial mobile usage
entered force a total of ‘over 3.5 million’ SIMs ‘mainly in by state bodies including the Ministry of Defence and
the corporate segment’ had been blocked. the Federal Security Service, whilst remaining Russian
(August 9, 2023) Kommersant fixed wireless access (FWA) 3.5GHz licenses were
extended for a period which expired in July 2022.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications Regarding the 694MHz-790MHz band, MTS, MegaFon,
& Mass Media has aired a proposal to issue 5G mobile Tele2 Russia/Rostelecom and Beeline currently hold
frequencies in the coveted 3.4GHz-3.8GHz range free- in-principle rights to this spectrum via their federal LTE
of-charge to a ‘single operator with state participation’ licenses but in practice can only utilize this resource
in a ‘compatibility mode with special services’ by once relinquished by the broadcasting sector; most
enabling security forces to directly access networks recently, on 23 December 2022 the State Commission
and switch off base stations if deemed necessary. The for Radio Frequencies (SCRF) stated simply that the four
proposal was put forward on 20 June at a session held licensees would retain their existing rights to 694MHz-
by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on draft strategy for 790MHz spectrum with a view to being permitted to
development of the communications industry up to 2035. utilize it ‘in the future’.
Under the Ministry’s scheme, a single recipient would (June 29, 2023) Kommersant

The Regulation Authority for Telecommunications and Sall explained the main objective of the call for tenders
Posts (L’Autorite de Regulation des Telecommunications was to select an operator capable of providing reliable
et des Postes, ARTP) announced that it had and efficient 5G infrastructure as soon as possible, in
‘provisionally’ awarded Sonatel (Orange Senegal) a 5G order to meet growing demand for connectivity and
Senegal license, following the conclusion of a call for tenders communication in Senegal. ‘Following the examination
to extend the scope of existing operating concessions. of the submitted offers, the committee for the
The regulator revealed at a press conference that evaluation of technical and financial offers proposed to
Sonatel had bid XOF34.5 billion (USD59.1 million) for the Selection Committee to retain Sonatel, which was
the authorization, while its rivals Free and Expresso had the only candidate to have fulfilled the conditions set
submitted significantly lower bids of XAF3 billion and by the regulations,’ he confirmed. The amendment to
XAF2 billion respectively – far below the reserve price of Sonatel’s concession agreement and specifications,
XAF19.5 billion established by the ARTP. Speaking at a including new 5G coverage obligations, will be signed in
press conference, ARTP Director General Abdou Karim the coming days. (July 18, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

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