Page 113 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Vodafone Submits INR30Bn to Clear Spectrum Fees

Indian cellco Vodafone Idea has paid the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) spectrum dues totaling INR30.4
billion (USD418.6 million) relating to its purchase of frequencies
auctioned in 2014, the Economic Times reports. According to the
news outlet, which cites people familiar with the matter, the cellco
is looking to avoid the government invoking its bank guarantees
and to indicate to sector regulators that it is intent on honoring
its financial commitments. At the same time, the operator has
yet to pay dues related to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Adjusted
Gross Revenue (AGR), for which the DoT is understood to have
demanded INR530 billion from the company. The company has
previously warned that it would be forced to close down if the
government invoked its bank guarantees to recover AGR dues, as
it does not have the funds to pay banks – a message that was
subsequently echoed by the company’s creditors.

Cote d’Ivoire Aims to Expand Mobile Money Use

The government of Cote d’Ivoire plans to transactions with users of any other says the government is hoping to improve
implement interoperability of financial financial service, rather than just those the adoption of digital financial services;
services by the end of 2020. The move affiliated to the same provider as currently 44% of the adult population do
would enable customers to carry out themselves. A report from Agence Ecofin not access such services.

ICT Industry to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 45 Per Cent By 2030

A new ITU standard highlights that Science-Based Targets. ITU L.1470 puts DOCOMO, Orange, Proximus, Reliance Jio
compliance with the Paris Agreement forward emission-reduction trajectories Infocomm, Safaricom, Singtel, SK Telecom,
will require the information and for operators of mobile networks, fixed STC, Swisscom, T Mobile USA, Taiwan
communication technology (ICT) networks and datacenters. The standard Mobile, TDC, Tele2, Telefónica, Telekom
industry to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and associated guidance will support Austria, Telenor, Telia Company, Telstra,
emissions by 45 per cent from 2020 operators in setting targets aligned with the Verizon and Vodafone. ITU L.1470 will
to 2030. The standard will support ICT latest climate science, the ‘science-based support many more operators in following
companies in reducing GHG emissions targets’ recognized by SBTi. “This new ITU suit. The shift to renewable and low-
at the rate necessary to meet the United standard offers authoritative guidance on carbon energy is expected to account
Nations Framework Convention on Climate the pathway towards net zero emissions for the majority of the ICT industry’s
Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement’s goal for the ICT industry,” said ITU Secretary- GHG emission reductions over the 2020-
of limiting global warming to 1.5°c above General Houlin Zhao. “The standard is an 2030 timeframe. ICT companies will
pre-industrial levels. The recommended example of what can be achieved with also continue to achieve greater energy
emission-reduction targets are the first good collaboration between key partners. efficiency, incentivized by associated cost
targets specific to the ICT industry to be It represents a significant contribution to savings as well as revenue-generation
approved by the Science Based Target the international effort in pursuit of the opportunities stemming from ICTs’
Initiative (SBTi). The ITU standard – ITU United Nations Sustainable Development increasing ability to improve energy
L.1470 “GHG emissions trajectories for the Goals.” 29 operator groups representing efficiency in other industry sectors. ITU
ICT sector compatible with the UNFCCC 30 per cent of the mobile connections L.1470 is under the responsibility of the
Paris Agreement” – was developed in worldwide are already committed to ITU-T standardization study group for
collaboration with the Global Enabling science-based targets, reports GSMA. ‘environment, climate change and circular
Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), GSMA These groups include América Móvil, AT&T, economy’, ITU-T Study Group 5.
and SBTi. It is supported by associated BT, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa,
Guidance for ICT Companies setting Far Eastone, KPN, Magyar Telekom, NTT

113 MARCH 2020