Page 161 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Despite recent news that at least three South African consequent lockdown to meet increased demand. The
operators have recently launched 5G services, much spectrum is, however, only valid until November. Mobile
of the spectrum used is temporary and much remains data-only operator Rain also took advantage of the
to be awarded. However, that may be about to change. spectrum bonus, although it had already deployed a 5G
South Africa The telecommunications regulator, the Independent wireless data network in certain parts of Johannesburg
Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA),
and Tshwane late last year, apparently by leveraging
now seems to be ready to make 5G spectrum available its 4G data networking infrastructure. ICASA has
at auction. According to Reuters and local press committed to holding an auction to issue permanent
reports, ICASA said on Thursday that it is preparing high-demand spectrum licenses by December.
to issue what is called an ‘invitation to apply’ (ITA) However, it did not give an exact date for when it will
for high demand spectrum and the so-called wireless publish the ITA. MTN South Africa reiterated its call
open access network (WOAN). The ITA, due in June for the auction of 5G spectrum as it launched its next-
but apparently slightly delayed, is for licenses in generation network earlier this week using temporary
the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum. MTN, Rain and Vodacom are no doubt eager
bands. Mobile operators MTN and Vodacom have for the regulator to auction the spectrum, which, it
already started rolling out 5G networks in major South is argued, could help to bring down data prices and
African cities using temporary spectrum assigned by expand broadband services.
the regulator during the coronavirus pandemic and (July 4, 2020) developingtelecoms.com

The Council of Ministers has approved the new date for Consequently, the government has also confirmed the
the completion of the release of the 694MHz-790MHz postponement of the tender for the 700MHz frequency
(700MHz) band – known as the ‘Second Digital band for 5G services, which will now take place in
Dividend’ – which will now be 31 October 2020. This the first quarter of 2021. On 30 March this year Spain
new date has been set as a result of the ‘exceptional communicated to the EU that the situation caused by
Spain situation’ caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as COVID-19 would prevent it from completing the release
social distancing and mobility restriction measures process by the 30 June 2020 deadline established by
implemented during the state of alarm forced the Decision 2017/899.
government to slow down the release process. (June 24, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (Post & to submit their responses. (July 9, 2020) commsupdate.com
Telestyrelsen, PTS) has opened a consultation to The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (Post &
review the possible co-ordination of licensing in the Telestyrelsen, PTS) has decided to amend incumbent
2.1GHz and 2.6GHz bands. At the moment, 2.6GHz operator Telia’s obligations in the market for local
Sweden licenses used for 4G services are due for renewal at access to network infrastructure (Market 3a). The
the end of 2023, while 2.1GHz concessions for 3G changes include the cancellation of the obligation to
expire at the end of 2025. The regulator has put three provide access and virtual access to copper networks
options on the table: extend existing 2.6GHz licenses and to channelization. The PTS has also adopted a new
for two years to end-2025, after a new law on electronic pricing structure for access to copper infrastructure.
communications has been adopted and entered into The changes will take effect on 1 July 2020. In February
force; bring the renewal of 2.1GHz permits forward this year the EC rejected a PTS move to implement
to end-2023; or stick with the current staggered a single national market regulation for wholesale
timetable. PTS says that a coordinated allocation could local access to fiber-optic services. The regulator
result in more efficient frequency use and, ultimately, subsequently resumed its market analysis in light of
lower costs for operators and thus a higher rate of the EC’s ruling and the latest decision is the result of
expansion. Interested parties have until 1 September that. (June 9, 2020) commsupdate.com

Chunghwa Telecom has reportedly been issued with noted that, with Chunghwa having met the statutory
its 5G operating license, making it the first of the five obligations of its business plan, it had been decided
companies that secured 5G-suitable spectrum earlier to issue it with a concession which allows for the
this year to be officially awarded its concession. launch of a commercial 5G offering. On the back of the
Confirming the development in a press release, decision to award the license, local news outlet Focus
Taiwan the National Communications Commission (NCC) Taiwan reported that Chunghwa is targeting 1 July

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