Page 116 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia to compel cellcos ‘to make investments in regions of
Nacional de Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has announced low economic attractiveness and great social interest’.
that it has approved a plan to convert financial penalties In addition, impacted providers must ensure ‘adequate
imposed on domestic operators into 4G coverage maintenance and operation’ of the new facilities for a
Brazil expansion obligations. In doing so, the watchdog seeks minimum period of three years. (May 5, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies The Ministry of Information Technologies and
and Communications (MinTIC) has now issued all of Communications (Ministerio de Tecnologias de la
the 2.5GHz spectrum licenses won during the country’s Informacion y las Comunicaciones, MinTIC) has
multi-band spectrum auction in December 2019. confirmed that it has issued all of the 2.5GHz spectrum
Colombia permits that were won in December 2019’s multi-
The two winning bidders were Claro Colombia and band spectrum auction. ICT Minister Karen Abudinen
Partners. The latter company was set up as a bidding commented: ‘Our objective is to provide the same
vehicle for Icelandic firm Novator Partners, which owns opportunities to all citizens. It does not matter if they
the Chilean newcomer WOM. Partners’ entry into the are in Bogota or in Choco, they should have the same
Colombian market was not without its stumbles. After opportunities to enjoy technology.’ The frequencies in
obtaining 20MHz of 700MHz spectrum, Partners bid question were won by Claro Colombia and Partners,
on 30MHz of 2.5GHz spectrum but then realized that it a bidding vehicle for Novator Partners, the Icelandic-
had accidentally overbid by a factor of ten, prompting owned, London-based owner of Chilean upstart
a request to cancel this offer. Alongside the Ministry’s operator WOM. Partners acquired 20MHz in the
announcement, Claro Colombia confirmed that its 700MHz band and 30MHz in the 2500MHz band, but
2.5GHz spectrum is now active across all state capitals later asked for its 2.5GHz bid to be retracted after an
and over 800 municipalities, in addition to its existing administrative gaffe saw it accidentally enter a bid ten
2.6GHz network and LTE-A service, which respectively times higher than the going rate. In related news, Claro
cover 1016 and 779 locations. Claro obtained 20MHz of Colombia has announced that it has activated the
700MHz spectrum and 30MHz of 2500MHz spectrum 2.5GHz band in all state capitals and more than 800
in the December auction. ICT Minister Karen Abudinen other municipalities. In addition, the cellco notes that
said: “Our objective is to provide the same opportunities its original 2.6GHz network covers 1,016 municipalities,
to all citizens. It does not matter if they are in Bogota or while its LTE-A service is available in 779 locations.
in Choco, they should have the same opportunities to Claro won 20MHz in the 700MHz band and 30MHz in
enjoy technology.” (May 16, 2020) developingtelecoms.com the 2500MHz band in December’s spectrum auction.
(May 14, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA, or Energistyrelsen) is December 2037. The DEA said that the frequencies are
planning to hold an auction for spectrum in the 450MHz suitable, among other things, for the provision of IoT
frequency band on 23 June 2020. The regulator is services as well as M2M communication and wireless
offering one licence up for sale, with specific terms broadband, but with restricted capacity (speeds) due
Denmark and conditions aiming to ensure that the spectrum is to the limited frequencies available. Interested parties
are invited to register for the auction on 9 June 2020.
used effectively throughout the country. The permit will
come into force on 24 January 2022 and expire on 31 (May 22, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Ministry of Telecommunications & Information tasked with ensuring telcos accessing these additional
Society (Mintel) has announced several measures frequencies improve service coverage. Other measures
intended to improve internet access in 369 underserved include simplifying procedures for granting licenses
parishes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The eight to small ISPs, implementing cheaper tariffs, enabling
Ecuador resolutions included in Ministerial Agreement 012- the installation of shared infrastructure on government
2020, promulgated on 26 May, include plans to property, and steps to facilitate the importation and
temporarily allocate mobile spectrum for twelve months approval of telecoms equipment. Additional free Wi-
to ‘improve service capacity and quality’, following Fi hotspots powered by the networks of universities,
a 40% increase in data traffic since the start of the government offices and other public sector institutions
health crisis. Telecoms regulator ARCOTEL has been will also be established. (May 28, 2020) commsupdate.com

116 MAY 2020