Page 114 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Linkem Buys 3.5GHz Spectrum from GO Internet

Italian fixed wireless operator Linkem has exercised an option March 2018 agreement. MondoMobileWeb reports that the final
to acquire 42MHz of spectrum in the 3.4GHz-3.6GHz band from transaction price was EUR4 million (USD4.4 million). Linkem has
regional ISP GO internet. The spectrum, covering the Marche and owned a 21.2% stake in GO internet since 2018 and is planning a
Emilia Romagna regions, was already leased to Linkem under a merger with another Italian internet provider, Tiscali.

Ten EU States Still to Implement EECC Measures

The EU has referred ten member states to the European Court outlined in the EECC by the deadline of 21 December 2020, and by
of Justice (ECJ) over their failure to transpose the EU Electronic September 2021 the list was down to 18. The ten countries still to
Communications Code (EECC) into national law. In February 2021, transpose the EECC are: Croatia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,
24 countries were named as not having implemented the measures Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Government Launches Connecting Families 2.0 Internet Scheme

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Guaranteed Income Supplement. With Connecting Families
yesterday announced the launch of the second phase of the 2.0, eligible participants will have the new option of 50Mbps
Connecting Families initiative in partnership with 14 ISPs which download speed (or the fastest speed available in that region, if
are offering CAD20 (USD16) per month high speed internet lower) and 200GB for CAD20, while the existing CAD10 package
services aimed at low-income families and seniors. Connecting under Connecting Families 1.0 also remains available. No
Families 2.0 introduces significantly faster (‘five-to-ten-times’) equipment or installation fees are applied. Participating ISPs to
speeds and increased data usage – doubling to 200GB per date include Access Communications, Bell Canada, CCAP, Cogeco,
month – compared to the original scheme. The new phase Hay Communications, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw,
also broadens eligibility from families receiving the maximum Tbaytel, Telus, Videotron and Westman Communications.
Canada Child Benefit to include seniors receiving the maximum

Government Launches Connecting Families 2.0 Internet Scheme

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
yesterday announced the launch of the second phase of the
Connecting Families initiative in partnership with 14 ISPs which
are offering CAD20 (USD16) per month high speed internet
services aimed at low-income families and seniors. Connecting
Families 2.0 introduces significantly faster (‘five-to-ten-times’)
speeds and increased data usage – doubling to 200GB per
month – compared to the original scheme. The new phase lower) and 200GB for CAD20, while the existing CAD10 package
also broadens eligibility from families receiving the maximum under Connecting Families 1.0 also remains available. No
Canada Child Benefit to include seniors receiving the maximum equipment or installation fees are applied. Participating ISPs to
Guaranteed Income Supplement. With Connecting Families date include Access Communications, Bell Canada, CCAP, Cogeco,
2.0, eligible participants will have the new option of 50Mbps Hay Communications, Mornington, Novus, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw,
download speed (or the fastest speed available in that region, if Tbaytel, Telus, Videotron and Westman Communications.

EC Approves Play’s UPC Takeover

The EC has approved the takeover of UPC Poland by mobile for an enterprise value of PLN7 billion (USD1.6 billion). The deal is
network operator (MNO) Play (P4), which is itself part of France’s now expected to close in early April.
Iliad group. Play announced plans to buy the cableco in September

114 MARCH-APRIL 2022