Page 139 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The parliament has unanimously approved a law from a market study and negotiation and do not affect
authorizing President Joao Lourenco to grant tax and competition for companies operating in [the sector],’
customs exemptions to Africell, the fourth Angolan the minister declared, adding that similar benefits had
‘Unified Global’ telecoms licensee, which is preparing been given to existing operators in their earlier phases.
Angola to launch commercial mobile network services in ‘The terms of the [Africell operating] contract include
December 2021. As reported by Lusa, Angola’s telecoms a program for gradual implementation of coverage
minister Manuel Homem told parliament that Africell between urban centers and suburban areas … within
had invested ‘close to USD800 million’ in its Angolan eight years the operation should cover at least 60%
launch, aiming to boost competition, reduce end user of urban areas, giving greater priority to coverage of
costs, improve the quality of services, create jobs suburban areas,’ Mr. Homem added.
and increase the penetration of telecommunications (July 26, 2021) commsupdate.com
services. The incentives proposed under the law ‘result

The Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has set. According to the minister, these limits take into
confirmed that allocation limits will apply to the amount account carriers’ existing holdings in similar bands
of low-band spectrum that mobile network operators below 1GHz and align with the Australian Government’s
(MNOs) can acquire in the country’s upcoming 5G communications policy objectives. Meanwhile, Minister
Australia frequency auction. In a press release regarding the Fletcher’s direction to the Australian Communications
matter, the Minister noted that bidders will be restricted and Media Authority (ACMA) also requires that body
to holding no more than 82MHz of licensed sub-1GHz to set aside spectrum in the 900MHz band for Optus
spectrum in ‘the most populous areas of Australia’, and TPG Telecom (Vodafone Australia). Such action
saying this cap was consistent with recommendations will reportedly guarantee these two operators the
from the Australian Competition and Consumer opportunity to acquire 10MHz of 900MHz band
Commission (ACCC). To encourage investment in the spectrum at the auction ‘to support continuity of
more sparsely populated regional areas, a slightly services.
higher limit of 92MHz of sub-1GHz spectrum has been (August 9, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and spectrum award schedule, market trends, types of use
Telecommunications (Rundfunk und Telekom and different sharing and approval models outlined. It
Regulierungs, RTR) has launched a consultation in will mainly be focused on the 26GHz band, although
coordination with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, other frequency ranges which could be awarded for
Austria Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) to develop and publish mobile communications and broadband services in the
a new schedule for frequency assignments planned medium to long term will also be addressed. Comments
for the five-year period 2021 to 2026. The aim of the can be submitted by 9 August 2021.
consultation process is to create planning security for (June 17, 2021) commsupdate.com
all interested stakeholders, with issues including the

Telecoms regulator the Belgian Institute for Postal 2100MHz) and new frequencies for 5G, including the
Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has begun 700MHz, 3600MHz and 1400MHz bands. The legislative
a consultation regarding plans for the long-delayed package setting the conditions for participants and
3G/4G/5G multi-band spectrum auction. Interested license terms was approved by parliament in June but
Belgium parties have until 31 August to submit their comments, remains subject to approval by the Council of State.
with the auction expected to be staged early next Belgium’s plans for a 5G spectrum auction have been
year. The auction will cover the expiring licenses in at an impasse for years due to a disagreement between
the existing 2G and 3G bands (900MHz, 1800MHz and federal and regional governments over how to distribute

139 JUN-AUG 2021