Page 100 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Telia Licenses Standalone OTT Rights to Discovery

The European Commission has given its dropped from Telia’s networks in a carriage decision means that Discovery Networks
approval to Telia Company’s decision to dispute. “We have run a process to license will distribute TV4 Media’s linear channels
license standalone OTT rights, in Sweden our OTT rights with several players, fully (TV4, Sjuan, TV 12, TV4 Fakta, TV4 Guld,
and Finland, to Discovery Networks. As in line with the commitments. Monday’s TV4 Film, Sportkanalen, C More Hockey,
part of the approvals process when Telia approval means that we can continue to C More Fotboll, C More Golf, C More Sport,
Company took control of TV4, C More and move forward and realise the advantages C More Live 1-5), as well as MTV´s linear
MTV Finland, Telia committed to license for our customers of combining our channels (MTV3, Sub, AVA, C More Juniori,
standalone OTT rights to one other market leading mobile and fixed networks with C More Max, C More Sport 1, C More Sport
player in each of Sweden and Finland, the most successful commercial media 2) and Telia´s Liiga channel package
respectively. It’s a far cry from earlier house in the Nordics,” says Allison Kirkby, over the internet, without the need for a
this year when Discovery channels were President and CEO of Telia Company. The traditional TV subscription.

US Urged To Take Reins On 6G

A US telecoms standards association Local authorities have a part to play by
called on the government to step-up action creating regional innovation zones, it
around development of technologies stated. The body noted “defining a core
with potential to deliver 6G, arguing an set of technologies” could deliver national
early start would be crucial to securing a benefits. Mike Nawrocki, VP of technology
leading global position. The Alliance for and solutions, added work on potential
Telecommunications Industry Solutions 6G technologies “must be amplified
(ATIS) said the government should now” to ensure the US leads key areas
partner with the industry and academic including telehealth, smart agriculture,
experts, with research focused on key distance learning, digital commerce and
areas including AI-powered networks and AI. The call to action comes as momentum
services; advanced antenna and radio around a potential 6G technology grows.
systems; multi-access network services; China Unicom and ZTE today (20 May)
and healthcare and agriculture. ATIS detailed plans to work together to steer President Donald Trump also got in on the
urged US officials to offer funding and development, while Japanese authorities in action, in February 2019 citing a notion of
tax incentives for relevant R&D, and said January also began making noise around 6G as one element necessary to maintain
a national spectrum policy was needed. the idea, The Japan Times reported. US the nation’s future standing.

India to Proceed with 4G Spectrum Sale Later This Year but Will Delay 5G

Auction until at Least 2021

India’s Department of Telecoms will hold a $3.9 billion (3 lakh crore rupees) from last October, have both called for the
spectrum auction before October to provide the auction. However, the auction will not auction to be delayed, as they battle to
operators with much needed 4G spectrum include 5G airwaves, with the Department rein in expenses. Sources familiar with the
to add capacity to their networks, according of Telecoms failing to secure interest from matter told journalists at The Economic
to reports in the press. The auction the country’s major telcos at the proposed Times of India that the country’s Digital
will make over 8,000 MHz of spectrum asking price. A report in The Economic Communications Commission had met
available to operators as they look to ramp Times of India claims that the government on Monday to discuss postponing the 5G
up capacity and expand the reach of their will go ahead with the auction of additional auction. “Discussions are on to hold the 5G
existing networks. The Department of 4G spectrum as planned, later this year auctions later as some of the telcos need
Telecoms will make spectrum available but will defer the 5G spectrum sale until to buy spectrum but 5G may not be the
in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 2021. Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, priority now,” a source told the ET.
MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz and 2,500 who were both hit with multi-billion dollar
MHz bands. It expects to raise around AGR dues by the country’s Supreme Court

100 MAY 2020