Page 157 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

of frequencies to, for example, a provider of local busi- responses into account when adopting a final set of
ness networks can provide new services and addition- guidelines.
al competition). ACM will take industry stakeholders’ (June 23, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on Messenger and WhatsApp, our preliminary view is that
its draft review findings that the Mobile Termination regulation of MTAS for voice calls remains important
Access Service (MTAS) should remain regulated. ‘While due to a lack of competitive alternatives,’ Simon
early indications show that there may be reasonable Thomson, the regulator’s Head of Telecommunications,
New Zealand grounds to commence an investigation into removing stated in a press release. Feedback on the draft review
SMS regulation due to the popularity of competing is due by 1 July 2020 with a final decision issued by 23
over-the-top messaging services such as Facebook September 2020. (June 11, 2020) commsupdate.com

The World Bank’s International Development has revealed the urgency of accelerating the digital
Association (IDA) has approved the disbursement transformation to enable countries like Niger to keep
of USD100 million to help Niger accelerate digital the private sector active and save lives and jobs. By
transformation projects, reports Ecofinagency.com. ensuring that all citizens have access to quality and
Niger The funding – incorporating a USD50 million grant and affordable internet connection, that online public
a USD50 million loan – will support projects aimed at services are easily accessible, and that the digital
deploying more resilient infrastructure and innovations economy drives growth, innovation, and job creation,
to improve citizens’ access to essential social services, this new project will help Niger harness its potential
with a particular focus on the poorest and most for digital development.’ According to TeleGeography’s
vulnerable regions. One aspect of the funding will GlobalComms Database, at the end of March 2020
contribute to the Smart Villages project, which aims Niger ranked 45th out of 57 African countries in terms
to improve access to mobile telephony and broadband of mobile service population penetration with a take-up
services in rural areas alongside the introduction of rate of less than 55%, while the country placed 42nd in
paperless financial services to underserved regions. fixed broadband internet household penetration (with a
Tim Kelly, Senior Digital Development Specialist at figure of roughly 0.7%).
the World Bank, stated: ‘The [COVID-19] pandemic (June 13, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
requesting input from industry stakeholders to feed has announced that it is developing a policy for the
into its 5G deployment policy framework. In a public deployment of 5G technology in the West African
notice, the commission stated that it has a mandate country. The move follows the launch of 5G trials in
Nigeria under the Communications Act (2003) to implement cooperation with MTN Nigeria in six areas in November
plans that promote and ensure the development of the last year. The three-month tests involved different
communications industry in Nigeria. And it is working equipment vendors and utilized spectrum in the 3.5GHz
within this mandate to put through a policy for the and 26GHz bands in order to assess the performance of
deployment of 5G networks and services. According to the technology in comparison with existing platforms
Mr. Henry Nkemadu, NCC's Director of Public Affairs, and ensure that it is in compliance with health and
"5G deployment would drive applications - such as safety guidelines. Following the successful conclusion
Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), of the trials, the NCC has begun developing a policy
Robotics, Drones, Advanced Communication Systems, for the deployment of 5G more widely, and this will
Cloud, 3D Printing, Mixed Reality, Simulation / Imaging, be followed ‘in due course’ by a public consultation
Gamification" and this would help promote a viable with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of
digital economy, improving the way Nigerians live and Communications and Digital Economy, the Ministry of
work. After the conclusion of the Proof of Concept Health and mobile operators. The watchdog added that
(trial) with MTN, the commission now seeks a broader 5G will not be deployed until the policy is concluded
contribution to policy framework from a variety of and approved.
stakeholders. (June 19, 2020) techeconomy.ng (June 15, 2020) commsupdate.com

157 JUNE-JULY 2020