Page 151 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

220MHz of spectrum (2×90MHz of paired and 40MHz with a reserve price of EUR406,000 per block.
of unpaired) in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2GHz and 2.6GHz band (paired): eight blocks of 2×5MHz
2.6GHz bands. Under EKIP’s provisional schedule, the (F7 to F14, 2530MHz-2535MHz/2650MHz-
spectrum auction will be held in November 2021, with 2655MHz, 2535MHz-2540MHz /2655MHz-
‘issuance of decision on the selection of bidders’ 30 2660MHz, 2540MHz-2545MHz/2660MHz-
days after completion of the auction, and approvals 2665MHz, 2545MHz-2550MHz/2665MHz-2670MHz,
granted 45 days from ‘date of issuance of the decision 2 5 5 0 M H z - 2 5 5 5 M H z / 2 6 7 0 M H z - 2 6 7 5 M H z ,
on selection of bidders. The public bidding procedure of 2555MHz-2560MHz/2675MHz-2680MHz, 2560MHz-
awarding the approvals for the use of radio frequencies 2565MHz/2680MHz-2685MHz, 2565MHz-
in the bands will be conducted by means of the spectrum 2570MHz/2685MHz-2690MHz), valid from the date of
auction in the combined format of adjusted multi- approval issuance until 1 September 2031 and subject
round sequential bidding (clock auction) and adjusted to award in the main auction phase with a reserve price
single-round bidding through sealed bids (sealed-bid of EUR200,000 per block.
auction). Eligible applicants are required to pay a one- 2.6GHz band (unpaired): eight blocks of 5MHz
off fee of EUR30,000 (USD35,300) for participation bandwidth (G1 to G8, 2570MHz-2575MHz, 2575MHz-
in the spectrum auction. 900MHz band: two blocks 2580MHz, 2580MHz-2585MHz, 2585MHz-2590MHz,
of 2×5MHz (B1 and B2, 880MHz-885MHz/925MHz- 2590MHz-2595MHz, 2595MHz-2600MHz, 2600MHz-
930MHz and 885MHz-890MHz/930MHz-935MHz), 2605MHz, 2605MHz-2610MHz), valid from the date
reserved for incumbent mobile operators and valid of issuance until 1 September 2031 and with a reserve
from 21 April 2022 to 1 September 2031. Both blocks price of EUR55,000 per unpaired block, all subject
will be subject to award in the pre-auction phase at a to the award in the main auction phase. In terms of
reserve price per block of EUR946,000, failing which coverage obligations, in the 900MHz band incumbent
they will be sold in the main auction phase. operators will be required to provide voice and SMS
1800MHz band: four blocks of 2×5MHz (C12 to services to 99% of the population by 1 September 2022,
C15, 1765MHz-1770MHz/1860MHz-1865MHz, while new entrants will be obliged to cover 25% of the
1770MHz-1775MHz/1865MHz-1870MHz, 1775MHz- population by the end of the second year of approval
1780MHz/1870MHz-1875MHz and 1780MHz- validity, 50% by the end of the third year and 75% by
1785MHz/1875MHz-1880MHz), reserved for the end of the fifth year. In the 1800MHz and 2.6GHz
incumbent mobile operators, valid from 21 April 2022 bands, meanwhile, incumbent operators will be obliged
to 1 September 2031 and subject to award in the pre- to provide 75% of the population with the network
auction phase at a reserve price of EUR440,000 per signal by 1 September 2022, while new entrants will be
block. required to ensure 15% population coverage by the end
2GHz band: four blocks of 2×5MHz, comprising block of the second year of issuance of approval validity, 30%
D1, 1920MHz-1925MHz/2110MHz-2115MHz (valid within three years and 50% by the end of the fifth year.
from the date of approval issuance to 1 September New entrants will obliged to start using the approved
2031 and subject to award in the main auction phase radio frequencies and providing public services to end
with a reserve price of EUR406,000) and blocks users within one year from the date of entry into force
D2-D4 (1925MHz-1930MHz/2115MHz-2120MHz, of the approval for the use of the frequencies. Rights
1930MHz-1935 MHz/2120 MHz-2125MHz and holders will be subject to a spectrum cap of a combined
1935MHz-1940MHz/2125MHz-2130MHz), reserved 2×30MHz in the 800MHz and 900MHz bands, 2×30MHz
for incumbent mobile operators, valid from 21 April in the 1800MHz band, 2×40MHz in the 2.6GHz (only for
2022 until 1 September 2031 and subject to award in paired spectrum) and 2×105MHz across all five bands
the pre-auction phase, unless they remain unallocated, (only for paired spectrum). (July 26, 2021) commsupdate.com

The telecoms regulator the Information and technology is not just about higher speeds, as it will
Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) also make possible new applications in the areas of
formally granted 5G licences to mobile network smart home, Internet of Things, wireless health care,
operators Cellplus, Emtel and Mahanagar Telephone smart cities and autonomous vehicles amongst others.
Mauritius Mauritius (MTML) on 17 June. The decision follows Around the world, 5G is looked upon as a foundation
for huge benefits to both governments and businesses
an invitation issued by the ICTA last April to operators
to apply for radio spectrum that should enable the willing to optimize on the digital ecosystems which
launch of services before the end of the year. The such a technology makes possible.’ Following a public
Chairman of the ICT Board, Mr. Dick Ng Sui Wa, consultation last February, the ICTA has decided that
described this development as a very important step each of the three operators will receive a total of 100MHz
for the telecommunications industry, adding: ‘this new of frequencies in the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands. The

151 JUN-AUG 2021