Page 131 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The telecoms regulator, the Post and Telecom Agency justified’. PTS says it has not yet investigated which
(Post & Telestyrelsen, PTS), is seeking views on a draft network owners have significant market power (SMP),
analysis of the market for local access to fiber-optic or which obligations may be relevant, and is seeking
networks (’market 1’). The watchdog has found that opinions on the draft market analysis by 23 September
Sweden the market can be sub-divided into two segments – prior to any further action. In February 2020 the EC
one for multi-family buildings and another for single- rejected a move by the watchdog to implement a single
family dwellings. It adds that in the market for fiber national market regulation for wholesale local access
access to multi-family buildings, competition generally to fiber-optic services, saying competitive conditions
works ‘satisfactorily’ and there is no need to impose were not ‘sufficiently homogeneous across the entire
further regulations. In the single-family dwelling market, country to conclude on one, national market’.
however, there are ‘often challenges when it comes (June 12, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
to competition’ and ‘the imposition of obligations is

The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) updated obligations, universal service customers must
has re-awarded the universal service license to state- be provided with internet connections with download/
owned telco Swisscom for the period from 2024-2031. upload speeds of at least 80Mbps/8Mbps, up from
In a statement, ComCom noted that it had conducted a their current 10Mbps/1Mbps. Regarding the universal
Switzerland survey of the largest providers in the market that were service requirements, ComCom also clarified that the
capable of delivering universal service and found that
universal service condition is considered fulfilled if an
Swisscom was the only operator interested in fulfilling equivalent solution is already available on the market at
the role. As such, a tender for the license could not be held a given location, and the licensee is not required to offer
under competitive conditions, in which case ComCom the 80Mbps/8Mbps universal service option. Similarly,
is authorized to simply designate the universal service universal service is delivered on a technology neutral
provider. The government updated the requirements basis, enabling Swisscom to provide the service via
of the universal service provision, with effect from the mobile or satellite solutions if necessary.
Draft
start of the new licensing period in 2024. Under the (May 16, 2023) www. telecomtalk.info

The government, with support from the World Bank, partnership, covering approximately 4.1 million people.
has embarked on a project known as Digital Tanzania ‘Today we have witnessed a historic event that will see
in partnership with mobile network operators, with all 26 regions across Tanzania’s mainland reached
a view to achieving 80% broadband penetration by with quality and reliable telecommunication services
Tanzania 2025. As part of the project, mobile data services compared to Zanzibar which was wholly covered in
will be extended to 713 wards, which encompasses November 2022,’ stated Tanzania’s President Samia
1,407 villages, benefitting over 8.5 million Tanzanians Suluhu Hassan, adding: ‘The presence of services is
across the country. The project is expected to cost of great significance not only in rural areas but also in
around TZS265.3 billion (USD112 million) and will be town areas as it accelerates development and inclusion
implemented under the Universal Communication politically, socially, and economically as well as for the
Services Access Fund (UCSAF). Mobile operators will safety and security of the nation. The implementation of
be responsible for deploying a total of 758 mobile this project is in line with the government’s commitment
towers in underserved areas between them, with to improve telecommunication services and facilitate
market leader Vodacom stating that it has been youth with opportunities in the ICT sector.’
allocated 190 wards through the Digital Tanzania (May 16, 2023) www. thefintechtimes.com

The telecom regulator has warned the country's two part of Maroc Telecom Group and Togo Cellulaire is
operators that they will face penalties if they don't majority owned by Axian Group. From November 2022
improve quality of services to their customers. This to January 2023, ARCEP carried out a national campaign
week, regulator ARCEP (Autorité de Régulation des to measure the quality of mobile services – for voice
Togo Communications Electroniques et des Postes) said and Internet – which revealed a non-compliance rate of
63% for Moov Africa Togo and 51.4% for Togo Cellulaire.
that Moov Africa Togo and Togo Cellulaire (also known
as Togocom) were not meeting regulatory compliance "Faced with these serious and continuous violations
thresholds for mobile services. Moov Africa Togo is combined with the weak improvement in the quality

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