Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

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Quartet Launch 5G Inter-Network Roaming Service Trial

China’s four main telcos – China Mobile, China Telecom, China
Unicom and China Broadnet – have jointly announced the launch
of what they describe as the worlds first 5G inter-network roaming
service, China Daily reports. The trial service was launched
in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and will allow
customers to use the 5G networks of other operators when outside
the coverage area of their service provider. The Ministry of Industry
and Information Technology (MIIT) stated that it would continue to
‘actively and steadily’ promote the 5G inter-network roaming, with
a view to expanding access to 5G services rapidly whilst limiting
costs.

EU, Moldova Operators to Cut Roaming Charges

Moldova became the latest nation to more closely align with (EC) revealed operators from the country and member states
European Union (EU) roaming rules, as the European Commission agreed to reduce rates for users. The roaming price cut will take
effect at the start of January 2024, with a retail price cap to be
announced in October, the EC announced. It revealed Deutsche
Telekom, Orange and Telefonica were among the first signatories
of the voluntary declaration, while Moldovan operators backing
the agreement include Orange’s Moldova unit, Moldtelecom and
Moldcell. Commitments outlined in the document cover “affordable
retail roaming offers” on calls, data and texts, assessment of a
wholesale roaming cap and a renegotiation of it “where required”.
Operators will also ensure reduced roaming offers cover a wide
range of end-users travelling between the two areas. The EC noted
the move aligns with a shared ambition for a “long-term roaming
agreement” between the two regions, and to involve Moldova in
the bloc’s existing data roaming rules. It added the declaration
complements Moldova’s decision to implement the EU-wide voice
calls termination rate, which will commence on the same date as
the roaming deal.

National Roaming to Be Launched Senegal

Senegal plans to launch national mobile roaming later this month license allocation process will be completed before the end of
and allocate 5G licenses before the end of July, the head of the July, with this taking the form of an extension to the operators’ 4G
Regulation Authority for Telecommunications and Posts (L’Autorite concessions. A provisional date of 31 May 2023 has been set for
de Regulation des Telecommunications et des Postes, ARTP) has the launch of a competitive tender. Notwithstanding the roaming
announced. Setting out the watchdog’s top priorities for 2023 at arrangements, Mr. Sall noted the regulator will also be conducting
a press event last Friday, ARTP director general Abdou Karim Sall an audit to ensure the MNOs have achieved the coverage
revealed the implementation of national roaming between the and quality of service obligations set out in their operating
country’s mobile network operators (MNOs) – Orange, Free and concessions. The cellcos have until 31 December to comply with
Expresso Telecom – is scheduled for 17 May. The project is one these commitments. In addition to the obligations contained in
of a number of steps being undertaken in response to demands the license specifications, in April the MNOs agreed to undertake
from President Macky Sall to achieve nationwide mobile network additional network investment in return for reduced penalties
coverage ‘as soon as possible’. With regards to the introduction following an earlier QoS review.
of 5G, meanwhile, the ARTP’s director general said he expects the

95 MAY-JUNE 2023