Page 129 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

of THB6.7 billion to capitalize on the 26GHz spectrum start drafting terms of reference for the 26GHz network
range during the period until license expiry in 2036. NT procurement this month, with the procurement process
previously indicated aims of introducing 5G services expected to finish ‘by early next year’ ahead of expected
in both the 700MHz and 26GHz bands by around readiness to provide services by March 2024. The telco
Q4 2023, although the latest board announcement has highlighted a focus on using the spectrum for fixed
sets a target of March 2024 for completing the first wireless services and private 5G campus networks for
phase of 26GHz network deployment. NT’s President manufacturers, ports, logistics operators, airports and
Sanphachai Huvanandana said that management will other enterprises. (August 16, 2023) The Bangkok Post

Kadiri Ouro-Agoro, the Legal and Consumer Protection competition to boost the market.’ The regulator issued
Director of Togo’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic an Invitation to Tender (AAO) for ‘the acquisition of a
Communications and Posts (ARCEP), has said that the portability solution for mobile communications services’
launch of mobile number portability (MNP) will take in July 2022 (AOO No. 002/ARCEP/PRMP/2022). In
Togo place before the end of the year, adding that ‘technical confirming it has the budget to finance the scheme,
arrangements’ were being put in place to ensure a quick ARCEP solicited bids from companies wishing to
and uninterrupted transition. ARCEP launched a public set up its MNP regime. More recently, In April 2023
consultation on plans to introduce MNP in the country ARCEP selected Dutch solution provider Porting XS
in October 2021 as part of preparations to increase to implement MNP in the western African nation. The
competition in the mobile market. In a statement at decision was made public at an event in Lome on 7 April
the time the regulator confirmed: ‘Portability will offer and, according to the schedule agreed with Togolese
consumers the possibility of changing operator, while mobile duo Togocom and Moov Togo, MNP should go
keeping their number with their original operator, in the live in Togo by the fourth quarter of 2023. Kadiri Ouro-
event of dissatisfaction with the quality of service or to Agoro has now reiterated that ARCEP is on track to keep
benefit from better offers and prices available from the with its deadline.
competitor. In this sense, it constitutes a real lever of (July 19, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ranges, while Airtel was successful in the 800MHz,
has announced its first 5G spectrum awards. Reports 3.5GHz and E-band ranges. The licenses come with a
suggest that a little over 68% of available 5G spectrum number of coverage and data rate targets. Bids from
has gone to market leaders MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda Telecom, Lyca Mobile and Intracom seem to
Uganda Uganda. It was in late May that the UCC published have failed. A number of blocks – in the 700MHz and
an invitation to interested parties to apply for radio 3.5GHz bands – were not awarded. In May we reported
spectrum under a competitive multi-band award that the UCC was looking to complete the spectrum
process for the deployment of broadband services in allocation process by mid-August this year – based
Uganda. The operators involved had to pay an initial on the reservation process being over by 21 July – but
commitment fee of up to US$1.5 million if they planned the UCC seems to have completed the process over
5G deployment using more than one frequency band. a month ahead of schedule. Airtel confirmed back in
Submissions were received and evaluated, after which February that its network was fully 5G-ready. MTN is
Airtel Uganda and MTN Uganda won an amount of involved in a five-year strategic partnership with Huawei
spectrum that corresponds to 25 out of 37 available to carry out a 5G-capable core network modernization
blocks. MTN won frequencies in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz, project.
2.6GHz and E-band (71GHz-76GHz/81GHz-86GHz) (July 6, 2023) www.developingtelecoms.com

The telecoms regulator Ofcom has begun consulting With regards to achieving its objectives, Ofcom has
on a new approach under which both Wi-Fi and mobile said it proposes to: identify appropriate hybrid sharing
internet users could access spectrum in the 6GHz band. mechanisms to facilitate coexistence between licensed
According to the watchdog, its ‘hybrid sharing’ approach mobile, Wi-Fi and, where appropriate, existing users of
United has the potential to help support growing demand for the band; encourage the development of technology-
based coexistence solutions such as managed
mobile broadband connectivity.
Kingdom databases and enhanced dynamic sensing; and continue

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