Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

that promote the long-term interests of consumers over wide range, and the variation would not commit NBN
its duration, due to limitations in the processes under Co to providing suitable measures to assist retailers
which those terms of access are periodically reset. with this residual cost uncertainty. NBN Co submitted
Meanwhile, it also noted that it considered the proposal a revised SAU variation back in November 2022, having
would require revenue allowances from 1 July 2032 ‘that withdrawn an earlier proposal in July that year after
would not create incentives for a regulated entity to act a consultation by the ACCC had identified ‘a range of
efficiently’. Further, the Commission also considered potential issues’ with the initial plans. Note that the
that NBN Co’s proposed access terms for the first three SAU provides a framework for the economic regulation
years following acceptance of the variation would ‘pose of the National Broadband Network (NBN) until 2040
risks to efficiency and competition’. According to the and includes rules for setting the maximum prices and
regulator, this is because the cost of services supplied service standards that NBN broadband providers can
using the standard wholesale offer would fall over a very expect to receive. (May 2, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority connectivity is more important than 5G availability for
(URCA) has launched a public consultation regarding end users and public sector participants, especially in
5G in the Bahamas. The consultation follows a the Family Islands where reliable connectivity has been
stakeholder engagement exercise in 2022, which a challenge since Hurricane Dorian in 2019. In addition,
Bahamas involved dialogue with a number of sector-specific focus it is believed that current mobile and fixed broadband
groups, as well as incumbent operators the Bahamas services are considered sufficient to meet prevailing
Telecommunications Company (BTC), Cable Bahamas demand for connectivity in the Bahamas. At present, the
Limited (CBL) and ALIV. The first wave of stakeholder watchdog believes there is ‘limited established demand’
feedback suggested that the provision of basic internet for 5G services. (May 12, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia 2025. The debt-wracked telco closed out December
Nacional de Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has opened the 2022 with 7.771 million fixed voice subscriptions, down
process to evaluate the forfeiture of Oi’s fixed switched from 8.651 million one year earlier, and a peak of 21.293
telephone services (servicos de telefonia fixa comutada, million at end-2009. (May 19, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
Brazil STFC) concession. The review of the licensing situation The Board of Directors at Brazil’s National
commenced on 8 May and was prompted by Oi’s failure to
fulfil certain universal service and backhaul obligations Telecommunications Agency (Agencia Nacional de
by December 2022. By ceasing to be a concessionaire, Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has approved a number
the cash-strapped telco would have more freedom to of extensions for spectrum licenses held by the likes
seek an investor to assume its debts and take over of Claro Brasil, TIM Brasil, Telefonica Brasil (Vivo) and
its operations without having to adhere to the strict Algar Telecom. The decisions were rubber-stamped by
regulatory obligations connected to the concession. the watchdog on 28 April and published in the Official
However, forfeiture of the STFC license is one of several Gazette on 2 May. While the precise spectrum blocks
regulatory options on the table. Oi could be allowed to vary depending on location, all 1900MHz and 2100MHz
migrate to an authorization licensing model, meaning licenses are now valid until 30 April 2038, while the
an end to the arbitration process. Alternatively, the STFC 1800MHz concessions will run until 22 December 2032.
regime could be ended by government decree. Oi is the In addition, Anatel rejected Vivo’s request to extend
STFC concessionaire responsible for Regions I and its right to use 900MHz spectrum. As per the official
II, which include all Brazilian states except Sao Paulo documentation, the operator ‘did not meet the technical
and the Distrito Federal (DF). The company’s current conditions necessary for granting its request’.
concession agreements are valid until 31 December (May 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The President Luis Arce Catacora has announced million in 2021 to BOB539 million in 2022. The Bolivian
that state telco Entel is preparing to launch 5G government issued a decree in May 2008 ordering the
technology to coincide with the 15th anniversary of renationalization of the telco. Prior to that Entel was
its renationalization, which is being celebrated this 50.9%-owned by Euro Telecom International (ETI),
Bolivia month. The telco has also disclosed its financial itself owned by Telecom Italia, via the holding company
International Communication Holding (ICH).
results for 2022. Entel’s net income reached BOB4.561
billion (USD644.1 million) in 2022, up from BOB4.413 (May 7, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
million in 2021, while net profit increased from BOB519
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