Page 149 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia indicators, the application measures 84 unique tests
and Herzegovina has launched the RAK "NetTest" based on which it assesses the quality and satisfaction
application, which enables end users to examine the with the internet access service. The results from the
Bosnia and quality of their broadband internet access service. In measurements will serve as evidence when complaints
addition to the basic speed, ping download and upload
come in about a service. (July 12, 2020) telecompaper.com
Herzegovina

Leonardo Euler, the President of Brazil’s National 700MHz spectrum, and Euler reiterated the possibility
Telecommunications Agency (Agencia Nacional de of refarming 4G frequencies to launch first-phase 5G
Telecomunicacoes, Anatel), has stated that the country networks under new protocols established by Anatel
will not hold a 5G mobile license auction until sometime for multi-technology usage of pre-existing spectrum,
Brazil in the first half of next year. In a conference call, Euler although he also acknowledged that the 5G device
said: ‘We are working [to carry out the auction] in the ecosystem remains underdeveloped in the country.
first semester, at best, in the first quarter [of 2021].’ He He stated: ‘So the beginning of 5G in Brazil does not
noted that a crucial 3.5GHz testing program focused on depend only on the [upcoming 5G auction], companies
the coexistence of mobile broadband and TV services already have the necessary [spectrum resources],
in the band has been delayed due to the COVID-19 whether in the 700MHz, 1800MHz or 2.1GHz [bands].
pandemic, ruling out any possibility of meeting an Evidently, there is still a lack in the ecosystem in terms
original target of holding the auction in 2020. The of [user] terminals in the range. And the network’s
5G auction is expected to include frequencies in development itself depends on the existence of this
the 700MHz, 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz mmWave equipment.’
bands. Brazilian operators already possess some (June 26, 2020) Tele Time

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) could reallocate it through a competitive bidding
has withdrawn the operating license and spectrum of process in the future. According to TeleGeography’s
Cambodia Advance Communications (CadComms), GlobalComms Database, CadComms was licensed by
which provided services under the brand name qb. the MPTC in 2006 and launched a W-CDMA/HSDPA
Cambodia Khmer Times cites Im Vutha, a senior official from the network in March 2008 using 2×10MHz of spectrum
Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), as in the 2100MHz band. In order to expand its coverage,
saying that the license was revoked because the firm no the operator went on to sign a network infrastructure
longer had any ‘business activities’, despite indications sharing agreement with CamGSM (Cellcard).
that it planned to deploy a 4G network. He added that (June 24, 2020) commsupdate.com
the government has taken back the spectrum and

Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada for spectrum auctions if necessary.’ In a parallel
(ISED) has announced a six-month postponement to process, a deadline of 6 October 2020 has been set
the country’s 3500MHz 5G spectrum auction, which for applications to transfer existing fixed-wireless
will now start on 15 June 2021, with a deadline for licenses in the 3500MHz band to flexible licenses, or
Canada receipt of applications and pre-auction financial to return licenses to ISED for inclusion in the upcoming

deposits set for 6 April. Minister Navdeep Bains said auction. The final lists of 3500MHz licenses being
in a statement on Friday that the delay will ‘allow the auctioned/retained will be published by mid-February
telecommunications industry to maintain its focus 2021. New 3500MHz licenses will be valid for 20 years
on providing essential services to Canadians during (see link below for full 3500MHz licensing conditions).
the COVID-19 pandemic’ while ISED ‘will continue to In addition, Bains announced that a consultation on
monitor COVID-19’s impact on the telecom industry prospects for 5G licensing in the 3800MHz band would
and remains open to further changes to the timelines be launched in August 2020. (June 8, 2020) commsupdate.com

149 JUNE-JULY 2020