Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

UK Regulator Opens Consultation on mmWave 5G

Ofcom outlined an ambition to make
mmWave spectrum available to the UK’s
mobile industry by 2024, as it launched
a consultation on opening access to the
26GHz and 40GHz bands. In a statement,
the regulator pointed to the advantage
of deploying 5G in the bands for faster
speeds and greater capacity in crowded
areas, citing transport hubs, busy streets
and entertainment venues. Ofcom noted it
could also enable high-speed fixed wireless
access services in hard to reach areas
and be deployed in private networks for
applications including factory automation
and smart agriculture. In the UK, the 26GHz licenses are already active, Ofcom plans and currently use it for fixed links. The
band is already used for fixed point-to-point to issue a five year notice period to revoke regulator’s consultation provides a number
links; a satellite earth station; level crossing them. In low density areas, it aims to allow of options for the 40GHz band, from
radars used by railway operators; ultra- existing fixed link users to continue with changing existing licenses to clearing and
wideband radar; a range of short-range current activities. Other users of the band, it reallocating it. Alongside general views on
devices; and for special events. Ofcom added, are expected to co-exist with 5G and allocation for mobile use, interested parties
added the UK Ministry of Defence also has other mobile services. Ofcom explained the have also been invited to make comments
access to the band but currently doesn’t 40GHz band had been allocated in 2008 on a potential auction format, competition
have a use for it. The consultation outlines with Hutchinson 3G UK, Mobile Broadband considerations and license lengths. The
an ambition to offer a range of very local Network, and MLL 40GHz holding the consultation closes on 18 July 2022 with a
and city-wide licenses for the 26GHz band. licenses. However, the trio are not allowed provisional timescale of making spectrum
In high density usage areas where fixed link to deploy mobile services in the band available by 2024.

Videotron Wins Another Court Ruling Over Western 3.5GHz Spectrum

Canada’s Federal Court has this week before this week’s decision according to Financial Post, Federal Court Justice
rejected nationwide operator Telus an official at Videotron’s parent Quebecor. Alan Diner found the set-aside eligibility
Communications’ attempt to block Telus had argued that Videotron did not assessment process and the Minister of
Quebec-based rival Videotron’s rights to meet government conditions to qualify Industry’s decision on the awards to have
3500MHz 5G mobile licenses in western for the ‘set-aside’ spectrum (reserved for been ‘fair and reasonable’. Videotron had
provinces won at auction last year. The companies other than Bell, Telus or mobile indicated in its application that it qualified
ruling follows the same court’s refusal market leader Rogers Communications) for the set-aside in British Columbia,
of a stay request from Telus and fellow requiring it to have existing commercial Alberta and Manitoba through an affiliate,
nationwide player Bell Canada in October facilities-based telecoms services in the Fibrenoire, which had customers in each of
2021, while Bell withdrew its objections auction regions, but as reported by the these provinces.

Safaricom Allocated 2600MHz Spectrum for 5G, Report Says

Kenyan mobile market leader Safaricom agencies but has been freed up following preparing to reallocate spectrum in the
has been allocated spectrum in the a change in the technology that they use, 3.5GHz band, which was previously
2600MHz band from the Communications an unnamed senior source was quoted as assigned for fixed wireless access (FWA)
Authority of Kenya (CA), reports The Daily saying. The source did not disclose how networks in Kenya but will be refarmed for
Nation. The operator has been allocated much Safaricom paid for the spectrum, 5G by 30 June 2022.
60MHz of spectrum in the 2600MHz band, which is expected to be used for its 5G
which was previously used by security network rollout. The CA is also currently

120 MAY-JUNE 2022