Page 144 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

2017-613) and a tender for the purpose of granting requirements for refarming outlined above, and that, as
rights to use radio frequencies for the provision of such, it is launching a public consultation – comments
electronic communications networks in the 700MHz for which can be submitted within one month of the
and 3400MHz–3600MHz frequency bands announced publication of the call (i.e., no later than 27 June 2021).
on 7 August 2020 (Ref. CTU-38 426 / 2020-613). The (June 1, 2021) commsupdate.com
CTU went on to say that all four operators have met the

Djibouti has set a six-week deadline for bidders to further details on the sale process were disclosed, but
express an interest in purchasing a 40% stake in the the government did confirm that ‘selected potential
country’s incumbent fixed and mobile operator Djibouti buyers’ will be approached and invited to submit
Telecom. In documents published late last week, the ‘indicative offers. If all goes to plan, the authorities
Djibouti government set a deadline of 16 September 2021 for hope to conclude the sale of a 40% stake in the PTO
in 1H22. One of the last monopolies on the African
expressions of interest (EoI), but also warned would-be
suitors that it is not averse to introducing competition continent, Djibouti Telecom offers wireless, broadband
in the near future. Capacity Media cites the statement and fixed voice telephony services to around one
from the government which read: ‘The state of Djibouti million Djiboutians, while the country is also home to
does not consider the monopoly as an intangible a host of submarine cables lying as it does at a key
dogma … In the context of a development that has strategic location on the Horn of Africa. The government
been experienced by the vast majority of African and believes its national telco offers a great opportunity for
emerging countries, the company must prepare to face strategic investors and pointed to potential expansion
competition from new entrants and the liberalization into mobile money services and data centers as future
of the sector, particularly in the cell phone sector.’ No revenue streams. (August 3, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Instituto involve the allocation of frequencies in the 698MHz-
Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones, Indotel) has 806MHz (700MHz) and 3300MHz to 3460MHz (3.5GHz)
confirmed that it has received technical and economic bands. As per Indotel documentation, nine 2×5MHz
offers from Claro Dominicana and Altice Dominicana, blocks of 700MHz spectrum will be made available,
Dominican ahead of its planned sale of 5G spectrum. The country’s alongside 16 10MHz blocks of 3.5GHz spectrum. All
licenses will have a duration of 20 years. The watchdog
third-placed player, Viva Dominicana, is conspicuous
Republic by its absence, however. While the technical offers has previously indicated that it expects the 5G auction
were verified upon receipt, the economic offers will to generate between USD200 million and USD300
not be reviewed until 22 September. A final decision is million.
expected by 11 October. The 5G auction process will (August 17, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Agency for Regulation & Control of economic conditions that will apply once their current
Telecommunications (Agencia de Regulacion y licenses expire in 2023. National and international
Control de las Telecomunicaciones, ARCOTEL) has observers will monitor the negotiations to ensure the
announced negotiations have begun with Otelecel process is transparent, the regulator said in a press
Ecuador (Movistar) and Conecel (Claro), the country’s two release. In addition to attracting new investment
largest mobile network operators (MNOs), regarding and generating jobs, the government hopes the
the renewal of their operating concessions. The new concessions will directly benefit the public by
process will establish the operators’ new frequency expanding coverage, connectivity, innovation and
management rights as well as the technical, legal and technological development. (August 27, 2021) commsupdate.com

Ethiopia is reportedly set to reopen bidding for the financial services, with a view to both making it more
country’s second new telecoms operator license this attractive to would-be bidders and increasing the price.
month, according to Reuters, which cites two senior Indeed, Balcha Reba, director general of the Ethiopian
government officials as confirming the plan. Notably, Communication Authority, was cited as saying of the
Ethiopia the report indicates that the license that will be put plans for the retender: ‘We have made some changes
up for grabs will allow for the provision of mobile that can uplift its value, for instance mobile financial

144 JUN-AUG 2021