Page 147 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The Ministry of Telecommunications & Information the population in general and will be a relevant factor
Technology (Ministerio das Telecomunicacoes for international projection and for the continuous
e Technologias de Informacao, MTTI) released a capture of relevant foreign direct investments for
statement yesterday confirming the government’s Angola.’ The MTTI added that after the conclusion
Angola selection of Africell Holding to receive the country’s of negotiations on final terms, Africell will be granted
fourth Unified Global operating license, permitting its national license and will enter into a concession
infrastructure-based mobile, internet, fixed telephony contract with the telecoms regulator, Angolan
and pay-TV services, which was first announced in Institute of Communications (Instituto Angolano das
May. The Interministerial Working Group reached its Comunicacoes, INACOM). Angola’s mobile market
final decision ‘after a thorough analysis and evaluation is currently a duopoly of Unitel and Movicel, while
process of the proposal documents presented, state-backed fixed line operator Angola Telecom
considering the observations made by the Evaluation holds the third Unified Global license and is planning
Committee,’ the latter having concluded that ‘Africell’s a mobile launch in partnership with Egyptian-backed
proposal responded satisfactorily to the requirements Angorascom, TeleGeography notes. Lebanese-backed,
of the [tender], as well as to the interests of the Angolan UK-headquartered Africell operates mobile networks in
State, and is expected to bring transversal benefits Gambia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo
to all economic sectors of the country, as well as for and Uganda. (July 7, 2020) commsupdate.com

A new Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) regime services only. The new Universal Service Guarantee
has come into effect in Australia, underpinning the expands the mandate to give Australians guaranteed
country’s Universal Service Guarantee and ensuring access to broadband as well as voice services, while
that as far as the government is concerned, ‘there is also ensuring current fixed telephone and payphone
Australia now a legislated framework for access to broadband services are maintained in rural and remote areas.’
as well as voice telephone services and payphones’. (July 3, 2020) commsupdate.com
Confirming the development, the Department of
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development The Australian government has launched a
and Communications (DITRC) noted that, under the consultation on reforms designed to modernize the
new laws, NBN Co will have a statutory obligation country’s spectrum management framework. With
to provide networks that allow end-users to receive the state seeking to update the Radiocommunications
broadband with peak download and upload speeds Act 1992, it said that the proposed reforms ‘aim to
of at least 25Mbps/5Mbps. Further, that company provide spectrum users with greater certainty and
must also make sure that at least 90% of premises support longer-term investment in new and innovative
on its fixed line network can receive peak broadband mobile technologies’. Specifically, the amendments
speeds of 50Mbps/10Mbps down/up. Meanwhile, in are intended to clarify the purpose of the Act and
those areas where NBN Co is not the default network streamline spectrum allocation and reallocation
provider – for example, where other network operators processes, and include: an extension of maximum
have contracts to service new developments – those spectrum license terms from 15 to 20 years and
other operators must meet these requirements. In maximum apparatus license terms from five to 20
addition, the DITRC confirmed that the Regional years; the provision of greater flexibility in decision
Broadband Scheme (RBS), which is part of the same making for allocating spectrum and apparatus
package of reforms and will provide funding of more licenses; the modernization of the compliance and
than AUD700 million (USD485 million), will commence enforcement regime through increased regulatory
from 1 January 2021, with this designed to provide options; and additional information gathering
‘transparent, sustainable and ongoing funding for powers for the Australian Communications and
rural, regional and remote broadband’. Commenting, Media Authority (ACMA). Following the consultation,
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the submissions to which are being accepted until 17 July
Arts, Paul Fletcher, said: ‘These historic laws mean that 2020, draft amendments are expected to be finalized
all Australians can access high speed broadband, no for consideration by the government and introduction
matter where they live or work.’ He added: ‘The existing into Parliament ‘by the end of 2020’. Commenting,
Universal Service Obligation mandates access to voice Paul Fletcher, Australia’s Minister for Communications,
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