Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

VEON/Beeline to Assist Uzbek Government with Digitalization During WTO

Accession

in the implementation of the Digital
Uzbekistan 2030 program, while intending
to increase its volume of investments in
the country’s economy by USD250 million
over the next five years. VEON’s statement
continued: ‘The success of Uzbekistan’s
WTO application will be influenced by the
digitalization of the economy of Uzbekistan,
which is striving to become one of the
technological leaders in Central Asia. For
the world community, what is important is
not only the general state of the country’s
economy, but how the level of technology
development in Uzbekistan has increased.
By investing in the infrastructure of VEON’s
Multinational telecoms group VEON between Laziz Kudratov, First Deputy mobile operator, Beeline Uzbekistan, we are
announced that it will advise and Minister of Investments & Foreign Trade, striving to make digital services available
provide digitalization services to the and VEON CEO Kaan Terzioglu. VEON has to residents and businesses throughout
Uzbekistan government during the been present in Uzbekistan through its the country, which will no doubt be an
country’s accession to the World Trade Beeline-branded local operating company additional advantage for Uzbekistan’s WTO
Organization (WTO), following a meeting since 2006, and the cellco will participate application.’

EC Clears Telefonica, Pontegadea for Telxius Deal

The European Commission (EC) approved will own 70 per cent and 30 per cent of the American Tower in 2021. It currently holds
Telefonica and partner Pontegadea to business respectively. Clearing the deal, a network of submarine cables covering
buy investment company KKR’s stake the EC concluded there were no relevant 94,000km. On first announcing its intent
in infrastructure business Telxius for overlaps with the parties’ other interests. It to buy part of KKR’s stake, Telefonica
€215.7 million, after concluding there also highlighted Pontegadea’s assets were highlighted the importance of cable
were no competition issues with the deal. mostly in real estate and the textile sector. networks during the pandemic, adding
Telefonica and Pontegadea already hold Telxius’ business is focused on submarine they would be “equally decisive for the
sizable stakes in Telxius and, on completing cables and related communications development of the metaverse, Web 3 and
the purchase of KKR’s 40 per cent interest, infrastructure, having sold its tower arm to the new digital era.”

Government Authorizes Panama Watchdog to Take Control of Digicel

The Panamanian Cabinet Council, which Panama by Cable & Wireless Panama We are in operational mode.’ Expanding
is headed by the President of the Republic, (trading as +Movil). The government on the theme, Ramos noted: ‘So, whether
Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, has approved the says that the move will ‘guarantee the Digicel stays on or doesn’t stay on, it really
transfer of Digicel Panama’s concession continuity of the workers and the personal doesn’t significantly change what we …
to the National Public Services Authority communications service’. The update was are delivering on. Our focus in Panama,
(Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios published on the website for the Ministry as elsewhere, to be very honest with you,
Publicos, ASEP). The decision was made of the Presidency on 27 April. In related is largely organic. We don’t want to stack
after Digicel informed the government that news, Millicom International Cellular – ourselves with picking these [assets
it intended to apply for voluntary liquidation which owns Tigo Panama – has ruled itself up] or that [company] up, because we’re
and withdraw from the Panamanian out of a move for Digicel’s Panamanian driving the brand. We’re being preferred
telecoms market. Digicel blamed its assets. Speaking during the group’s 1Q22 by customers. We’re driving volume,
decision on the government’s decision to earnings call last week, CEO Mauricio sustaining ARPU. So, we want to stay very,
greenlight the proposed takeover of Claro Ramos stressed: ‘We are not in M&A mode. very focused organically.’
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