Page 146 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Mavrovo and Rostushe); А1 Macedonia: А3 (723MHz- November 2021, though the auction was subsequently
733MHz/778MHz-788MHz) and В2 (3.6GHz-3.7GHz); cancelled at the request of the Commission for
and Telekom: А2 (713MHz-723MHz/768MHz-778MHz) Protection of Competition. A new award process was
and В3 (3.7GHz-3.8GHz). The AEK launched the tender initiated in April 2022. (June 6, 2022) commsupdate.com
for the allocation of 5G-suitable spectrum at the end of

The Cabinet Council, which is headed by the President Panama has already declared its intention to acquire
of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, has new AWS frequencies. Speaking during the group’s
approved the allocation of additional spectrum in the 1Q22 earnings call, Millicom CEO Mauricio Ramos
AWS band for mobile broadband use. As per Cabinet commented: ‘The government of Panama has released
Panama Resolution 41-22 (dated 12 April 2022) the National really reasonable prices [for] AWS spectrum, which we’ll
Public Services Authority (Autoridad Nacional de
be picking up. I think we’re in the process of buying it
los Servicios Publicos, ASEP) has set the price at and acquiring it … Panama has historically had a really
PAB1,214,287 (USD1,214,287) per MHz. With a total good spectrum policy, which is parity of spectrum for
of 120MHz of spectrum up for grabs, the frequency everybody. And we think that is a really, really good
sale could generate up to USD145.68 million. (Note: spectrum policy going forward. Predetermined prices,
25% of the funds generated will be used to support the reasonable prices, spectrum parity, so quite frankly
government’s Universal Access programmes.) Tigo that’s a good setup.’ (May 3, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Philippines’ Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has efforts to secure a toehold in the mobile broadband
overturned its earlier ruling and in the process, set market have been hindered for more than a decade, but
aside the ‘Declaration of Completeness and Order the provisional authority covered rights to use 220MHz
of Automatic Approval’ it previously issued to NOW of spectrum ranging from 1970MHz-1980MHz, paired
Philippines Telecom (NOW Network) and the telco’s sister company with 2160MHz to 2170MHz and 3.6GHz to 3.8GHz,
News and Entertainment Network Corporation
including 5G frequencies for mobile and fixed wireless
(Newsnet). Local press reports note that ARTA issued broadband. An order of automatic approval was issued
two separate Resolutions on 17 June 2022, siding with by ARTA on 1 March 2021. Subsequently, in April ARTA
the previous ruling handed down by the Department of granted its approval for NOW Telecom’s application for
Justice (DOJ) on 9 July 2021 that has become ‘final and an automatic extension of its mobile license permits,
executory and affirmed the authority of the National thus paving the way for it to offer mobile broadband
Telecommunication Commission (NTC) in assigning services across the country. However, the country’s
and use of frequency’. On 31 March 2022 ARTA issued a third telco DITO Telecommunity Corp, whose frequency
resolution throwing out a motion filed for reconsideration was affected by ARTA’s earlier decision, reportedly filed
by the telecoms regulator and declared NOW Telecom’s a complaint against ARTA’s original decision and the
application for cellular mobile telephone system (CMTS) anti-red tape body has now changed its decision.
provisional authority as complete. The operator’s (June 24, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Polish government is trailing a new method of The Polish telecoms regulator, the Office of Electronic
allocating broadband funding. The Prime Minister’s Communications (Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej,
Office for Digitization has announced four tenders UKE), has opened a consultation regarding the
which will be open to regional authorities, with each extension of the 2100MHz spectrum license held by
Poland tender providing funding of PLN5 million (USD1.15 cellco Plus (registered as Polkomtel). According to
million), which will account for up to 80% of the overall
a report from Telko.in, Plus submitted an application
cost of the project. The winning regional governments on 14 December 2021 to extend its concession which
will then choose telcos to act as their rollout partners. is set to expire at the end of this year. The operator is
Local authorities will be selected on their plans to looking to use 29.6MHz of frequencies in the 2100MHz
improve connectivity and digital services in their own range until 31 December 2037. The license renewal will
area. Applications are open until 27 June. cost Plus PLN403.4 million (USD94.4 million). Poland’s
(May 24, 2022) commsupdate.com other cellcos – Orange, Play and T-Mobile – are also
looking to renew their 2100MHz concessions, with the

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