Page 105 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITU Issues Emergency Telecoms Guidelines

The International Telecomm- need for day-to-day resources
unication Union (ITU) issued fresh and procedures to keep national
guidelines for countries to develop authorities prepared, “especially
emergency plans to maintain in relation to maintaining vital
access to telecom networks and communications, the essential
services during the COVID-19 lifeline during emergencies”.
(coronavirus) pandemic. In Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director
a statement, ITU Secretary of the ITU telecommunication
General Houlin Zhao said the development bureau, said it
outbreak showed how “vital was “crucial” stakeholders are
information and communication ready to take action when an
technology networks and emergency situation arises. She
services” are to pandemic and recommended “mock exercises
disaster management. Zhao including tabletop, talk-through
detailed how national emergency and walk-through exercises to full-
telecommunication plans “can scale drills, help to ensure smooth
ensure there is effective and emergency response among those
timely sharing of information involved in disaster management
across all levels of government, and communications”. The ITU
within affected communities and added it had already worked
among humanitarian agencies with “several” countries to
to priorities response efforts and create national emergency
to save lives”. The ITU explained telecommunication plans, set
guidelines highlight major areas up early warning and monitoring
of risk during a disaster, justify systems, and on provision of
funding for vital gear and staff in equipment.
an emergency, and advocates the

New Guatemalan Government Pledges to Auction 600MHz, 700MHz Bands

This Year

Long delayed plans to stage a 4G-suitable Jose Edmundo Lemus, the official in 600MHz and 700MHz bands; no mention
spectrum auction in Guatemala have charge of the Ministry of Communications, has been made of the 1700MHz band,
been reintroduced by the country’s new Infrastructure and Housing (Ministerio which was earmarked for auction by the
government, which assumed power in de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y previous administration.
January, led by Alejandro Giammattei of Vivienda, CIV) as saying that the sale
the Vamos party. Prensa Libre quotes process will include spectrum in the

Verizon is the Latest US Cellco to Receive Temporary Spectrum Boost

The Federal Communications Commission STA will allow the company to operate for 3 licenses in Auction 97, which concluded
(FCC) has announced that its Wireless 60 days using unused AWS-3 spectrum in January 2015. As previously reported by
Telecommunications Bureau has granted licensed to Northstar Wireless and SNR CommsUpdate, the FCC has already issued
Verizon’s request for Special Temporary Wireless LicenseCo. TeleGeography STAs to T-Mobile US (600MHz band) and
Authority (STA) to use additional spectrum notes that both Northstar and SNR are US Cellular (AWS-3 band); both permits
to help meet increased customer demand affiliated with satellite TV giant-turned- last 60 days.
for mobile broadband access during the wireless market aspirant DISH Network.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The DISH paid USD9.995 billion for 702 AWS-

105 MARCH 2020