Page 96 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

UK Commits Another £40M To 5G

The UK government launched a new funding initiative worth £40 Announcement of the new funding comes a few months after
million to accelerate 5G deployments by local and regional author- the government outlined a digital connectivity strategy including
ities, targeting connectivity advancements in transportation, smart a £100 million investment pot for 6G research and £8 million aid
infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and public services. to roll out satellite networks in remote areas. Applications for the
£40 million funding scheme are now open, the government said in
a statement, and there are expectations this will also attract com-
mercial opportunities. It explained the funding will be awarded to
local authorities who can demonstrate 5G use cases in public sec-
tor, highlighting improvements to air quality through traffic control,
collect environmental data and drones as examples. Further, the
government announced a plan by the UK Telecoms Innovation Net-
work to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at helping business-
es work together with major operators and vendors to deliver 5G
services. The project and funding will complement existing 5G ini-
tiatives, including Project Gigabit. Applications for the funding will
close on September, with winners to be announced in due course.

Spectrum Outlook 2023-2027 Released, ahead of 3800MHz Auction in

October

Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada (ISED) to 2022, the government will also continue to advance its ‘use it or
has released the Spectrum Outlook 2023 to 2027, outlining lose it’ approach to spectrum so that it is put to use promptly. The
the government’s plans to use spectrum to deliver affordable upcoming 3800MHz band spectrum auction is scheduled to begin
and high-quality telecom services, support faster deployment on 24 October 2023, and will be the third major auction to make
of 5G, improve rural connectivity, promote the use of wireless spectrum available for 5G, following the 600MHz auction in 2019
technologies that will help address climate change, and advance and the 3500MHz auction in 2021. The publication of the final
reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The Spectrum Outlook list of qualified bidders for the 3800MHz auction is scheduled for
2023 to 2027 lays out the government’s spectrum release plans 16 August 2023. Furthermore, ISED will make more 5G spectrum
for the coming years, aiming to ensure that enough spectrum is available in the future, including through non-competitive local
available for services Canadians depend on. Building on a number licensing and an upcoming auction for millimeter wave (mmWave)
of accomplishments since the release of Spectrum Outlook 2018 spectrum.

EC to Investigate Qualcomm, Autotalks Tie-Up

The European Commission (EC) outlined intentions to examine a
proposed acquisition of Israel-based automotive chip company
Autotalks by Qualcomm, following requests by 15 member states.
Countries including France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands asked
the EC to investigate the deal under EU Merger Regulations laws,
meaning Qualcomm will now to have to secure approval before it is
able to close the tie-up. Qualcomm struck a deal to acquire Autotalks
in May for an undisclosed sum. The Israeli company makes chips
which help prevent vehicle crashes. The US chip giant intends to
integrate Autotalks’ vehicle to everything (V2X) technology into the
Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio, as
it targets growth in the electric vehicle and autonomous driving
sectors. In a statement, the EC explained the transaction would
combine the two main suppliers of V2X semiconductors in the is therefore important to ensure that customers such as original
European Economic Area, with the technology key to improving equipment manufacturers or infrastructure managers retain
road safety, traffic management and reducing CO2 emissions. “It access to V2X technology at competitive prices and conditions.”
96 JULY-AUGUST 2023