Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A request for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for two directives that will shape a robust legal and regulatory
new telecommunications licenses in Ethiopia has framework’. (May 22, 2020) commsupdate.com
been launched by the local telecoms regulator, the
Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA). In a press Ethiopia has moved closer to liberalizing one of the
Ethiopia release regarding the development the ECA confirmed world’s final frontiers for telecommunications by
publishing the final draft of directives that mention
that it plans to award two nationwide licenses to
‘qualified telecommunications companies’, with these spectrum permits will be valid for 15 years. The
to be selected through a competitive bidding process Ethiopian Communications Authority will hold
in accordance with the Communications Service consultations on the proposed rules for 14 days ending
Proclamation No. 1148/2019. It said interested parties May 11, the agency said in a statement on its website.
have until 22 June 2020 to submit an EoI. In a supporting It will review and “consider the comments in adopting
document, the ECA noted that the two licenses on offer the directives” on issues including licensing, consumer
will: be technology neutral; offer ‘a range of spectrum rights and dispute resolution. Prime Minister Abiy
across multiple frequency bands’; and be valid for at Ahmed’s administration wants to offer two new licenses
least 15 years with the possibility of renewal. Further, and sell part of the state-controlled monopoly, Ethio
it noted that among the basic terms and conditions of Telecom, to help liberalize the economy and attract
the concessions on offer, there will be a requirement more foreign capital. Vodacom Group Ltd., MTN Group
to meet or exceed specified population and geographic Ltd., Orange SA and Helios Towers have expressed
coverage targets, as well as a requirement to commit interest in investing in Africa’s second-most populous
to ‘reasonable’ tariffs, universal accessibility and nation of more than 100 million people. The issuance
teledensity targets. Finally, the ECA said that both of licenses for operations including mobile-network
new and existing licensees will be expected to enter services will be by auction, beauty contest or a hybrid.
into infrastructure and facilities sharing arrangements The communications regulator would need to approve
‘in order to achieve rapid and cost-efficient network a proposed transfer of stake to an investor already
deployment’. With the ECA saying that, following a holding, or will get from the deal, 10% shareholding
public consultation related to the awarding of new or more in a business, according to the statement.
licenses in November 2019, it had undertaken a number Ethiopia’s initial plans to issue licenses by March 2020
of important activities, it noted that this included both were delayed by elections, which the government later
its hiring of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
as a transaction advisor, and the drafting of ‘numerous (May 2, 2020) bnnbloomberg.ca

The head of Greece’s National Telecommunications & Commission (HCC), Yiannis Lianos, has written to
Post Commission (EETT) says the authority expects ministers, according to a report from Kathimerini,
to complete its auction of 5G-capable wireless stating that responsibility for the oversight of the
spectrum by the end of this year. In an interview with telecoms market should be switched from the EETT
Greece Naftemporiki, Professor Konstantinos Masselos said to the HCC, adding that Greece is the only EU member
state where the competition regulator is not charged
that the planning of the auction is in progress and
there are possibilities for the creation of a ‘friendly with oversight of the communications sector. The
framework’ for telco investment, in terms of the starting letter has been accompanied by a report from the
price for licenses and the method of repayment. The HCC which says Greece has low levels of competition
watchdog has previously noted that it is looking to and the highest mobile data costs of any EU or OECD
award 2×30MHz in the 700MHz band, 65MHz in the country. The EETT has responded by criticizing the
1500MHz range, 2×15MHz in the 2100MHz band (plus HCC’s report, saying it presents ‘contradictory’ data
2×45MHz in the same band which is already allocated and uses flawed methodologies, making comparisons
but licenses expire in 2021), 280MHz at 3.6GHz, and between products from various countries which do not
up to 2,500MHz in the 24GHz-28GHz range, depending offer equal levels of service. The regulator says that
on demand. TeleGeography notes that a number of 5G since 2000 it has issued over 100 decisions relating to
spectrum auctions have been delayed this year due to competition law. Its statement ends by declaring: ‘In
the COVID-19 crisis. (May 28, 2020) commsupdate.com the spirit of mobilizing all of us in the collective effort
for the future of our telecommunications infrastructure
The National Telecommunications & Post Commission and services, we remain open to a meaningful and
(Ethniki Epitropi Tilepikoinonion kai Tachydromeion, constructive dialogue with both the political leadership
EETT) has responded to a report which says there and any involved body or authority in order to achieve a
is a greater need for competition regulation in the critical national goal for 21st century Greece.’
telecoms sector. The head of the Hellenic Competition (May 12, 2020) commsupdate.com

117 MAY 2020