Page 133 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

on its own social media channel: “These agreements, and for the success of the digital transformation and
in addition to our investment and network installation, digital inclusion plan for Ethiopia.” Safaricom beat rival
will be a strong foundation for the services that start MTN to Ethiopia’s first private telecoms license in 2021,
this year, for the development of the telecom sector, which is valid for 15 years. (April 17, 2022) developingtelecoms.com

France moved to open up more spectrum frequencies frequencies in the 2.6GHz and 26GHz bands in France.
to vertical sectors as part of efforts to accelerate the Arcep also plans to simplify access to the 2.6GHz
deployment of industrial 5G use cases in the country. TDD band by creating a new portal for applicants. The
The government and regulator Arcep announced move to open up more spectrum comes after France
France industrial players can apply to access frequencies unveiled a series of measures to boost industrial 5G
in the nation. A report published by Philippe Herbert,
in the 3.8GHz to 4.0GHz band until the end of 2022.
Businesses in sectors including manufacturing, president of Mission 5G Industrielle, identified a total of
logistics, energy, health, smart city and more will each seven reasons why industrial use is dragging its heels
be able to make use of a 100MHz block in this band in France compared with other European countries.
for three years to trial different use cases. Arcep stated These include poor access to relevant spectrum
businesses will have access to a “mature and varied frequencies, the insufficient availability of suitable
ecosystem of terminals and equipment” because of equipment and services, difficulty in finding the right
the band’s proximity to the core 5G band (3.4GHz to skills, and the lack of maturity of French and European
3.8GHz). Vertical sectors are already permitted to use industrial 5G ecosystems. (March 16, 2022) mobileworldlive.com

The Federal Network Agency (FNA, known locally with a view to achieving widespread fiber-optic networks
as Bundesnetzagentur) has published its draft and the latest mobile communications standard for
Telecommunications Minimum Requirements wherever people live, work and travel by 2030. The
Ordinance (TKMV-E) for public consultation with the strategy outlines a number of key goals, including the
Germany federal states and market participants. The formulation supply of at least half of all German households and
of the regulations follows the entry into force of the
businesses with fiber-to-the-home/building (FTTH/B)
amended Telecommunications Act on 1 December networks by the end of 2025 and better mobile phone
2021 which outlines the rights of citizens to be supplied coverage on railway lines. It proposes that building
with telecoms services, taking into account the and site permits are simplified, with the possibility of
European requirements. In addition to voice services, an early start of construction (for the erection of mobile
this right also includes an internet access service. The phone masts) before the building permit is granted,
internet access service to be guaranteed within this the reduction of the separation distances provided
framework must meet certain technical requirements, for cell towers and a permit waiver for mobile towers
and the essential parameters are required to be defined and modifications to existing cell towers. It aims to
in the form of a statutory order by 1 June 2022. The increase acceptance of micro trenching and above-
TKMV-E contains stipulations that shape the right ground laying techniques, which lay fiber-optic cables
to the provision of telecoms services, including the faster and with less capacity, among municipalities
parameters for the minimum download and upload and companies in the construction industry. The
bandwidths to be made available, as well as the Ministry states it is also adapting its funding process
maximum permissible latency. The FNA has invited and making the subsidy approval process faster and
suggestions from all market participants to be included more digital. In order to track the implementation of
in the further considerations with a view to drawing up the gigabit strategy, the Ministry is creating a new
and finalizing the statutory ordinance. The right to be federal state secretary committee, which will meet at
provided with telecoms services also means that the least four times a year to review the implementation
products offered are available at affordable prices, and of the gigabit strategy and, where necessary, make
the FNA has to publish principles for the affordability of adjustments and provide assistance. In addition, it is
universal services six months after the law comes into establishing an institutionalized industry dialogue in
force and after hearing the parties concerned. order to improve cooperation between the state and
(March 29, 2022) commsupdate.com the market in accelerating the expansion. The strategy
is currently being formulated and is set to be presented
The Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport has to the Cabinet for final approval before the end of the
presented its Gigabit Strategy to industry stakeholders, summer. (March 21, 2022) commsupdate.com

133 MARCH-APRIL 2022