Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Telecoms watchdog the Public Utilities Commission systems for the provision of mobile communication
(Sabiedrisko Pakalpojumu Regulesanas Komisija, services. As previously reported by TeleGeography’s
SPRK), has revoked spectrum rights held by state- CommsUpdate, the SPRK had issued a decision on the
owned fixed operator Tet (previously known as matter in January 2019, adding at the time that it could:
Latvia Lattelecom) at 1427MHz-1452MHz and 1492MHz- ‘now start to plan the granting of rights of use and
redistribute the entire range so that, from 1 January
1517MHz ahead of schedule. In a statement from
the watchdog, the SPRK explained that rights were 2021 onwards, operators who have received the rights
previously set to be released by 31 December 2020, of use can fully utilize the range’. Tet has not issued a
so that the band could be re-planned from fixed radio statement on the matter. (May 28, 2020) commsupdate.com

The government has approved a draft plan for the main transport routes and hubs, such as motorways,
development of 5G mobile communications services rail routes and airports, by 2025. Rollout is expected to
across the country, LRT cites a report by BNS as begin next year, following a 5G spectrum auction carried
saying. Under the provisional guidelines, a 5G network out by the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT)
Lithuania should be launched in at least one of Lithuania’s later this year, although this depends on the outcome of
largest cities – Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai or
talks with Russia about spectrum interference issues
Panevezys – by 2022 and should be available in all five in border areas. (May 29, 2020) commsupdate.com
by 2023. 5G services should cover all urban areas and

The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has have had difficulty entering the sector and it is
opened a consultation on the provision of wholesale proposing a number of regulatory obligations relating
fixed broadband access based on its preliminary to access, non-discrimination, transparency, price
findings. The regulator has ruled that the island’s control and accounting separation. Responses to its
Malta two main fixed network operators – GO and Melita – proposals are being accepted until 24 July.
have significant market power in both the retail and
(May 26, 2020) commsupdate.com
wholesale broadband markets. It says other providers

The Senate, the upper house (Eerste Kamer) of the thus: ‘This bill provides for a new chapter (14a) in
Netherlands’ parliament, has passed without vote a the Telecommunications Act. This chapter prevents a
bill amending telecoms legislation to allow the govern- party acting on the basis of geopolitical motives from
ment to block ‘undesirable’ investors from acquiring gaining control of the telecommunications infrastruc-
The stakes in Dutch operators. The Senate website notes ture and services that can be abused. The Minister of
Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) is empowered to
that the bill was passed on 19 May as a ‘hamerstuk’
Netherlands (‘hammer document’) which does not require further prohibit the acquisition or retention of predominant
debate or voting. The lower House of Representatives control in a telecommunications party if, in his opinion,
had unanimously adopted the bill – ‘Undesirable Con- obtaining or retaining such control threatens the public
trols Telecommunications Act, 35153’ – on 7 May. The interest. In order to maintain an overview of relevant
amendments will enter into force via Royal Decree, giv- acquisitions in the telecommunications sector, a re-
ing powers to the Ministry of Economic Affairs to ac- porting obligation is provided. The person who intends
tively monitor and intervene in ownership relationships to acquire predominant control in a telecommunica-
in the telecoms sector. (May 21, 2020) commsupdate.com tions party must report this intention to the Minister
of EZK if this control leads to relevant influence in the
The Netherlands’ House of Representatives has ad- telecommunications sector. After receiving notification
opted a bill amending telecoms legislation to allow of an intended acquisition of predominant control, the
the government to block ‘undesirable’ investors from minister will start an investigation. This investigation
acquiring stakes in Dutch operators. Following the aims to determine whether there are grounds for a ban.
unanimous vote on 7 May, the Senate Committee for In addition, the Minister of EZK will actively monitor
Economic Affairs will discuss the bill – ‘Amendments the control relationships in the telecommunications
to the Telecommunications Act with regard to Unde- sector.’ The bill was submitted to parliament back in
sirable Control in Telecommunications Parties’ (Unde- March 2019 by State Secretary for EZK Mona Keijzer
sirable Controls Telecommunications Act, 35153). The following original government proposals in April 2018
Dutch Senate website summarizes the amendments to enforce takeover controls applicable to fixed/mobile

120 MAY 2020