Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The competition authority told operators to remove all is subject to change. As part of restrictions imposed
limits on consumers switching providers within five on 17 March operators suspended all new number
days of the end of a state of emergency in the country, portability requests for both fixed and mobile services.
having suspended rules as part of lockdown measures. This allowed reallocation of resources to maintaining
The National Commission of Markets and Competition network operation as demand for connectivity
Spain said once an end to emergency measures related to increased. For fixed lines, suspension of switching
COVID-19 (coronavirus) had been declared, operators also removed a need to send engineers to physically
must increase capacity for number portability by at change providers at people’s homes. The complete
least 15 per cent per day until they reached levels ban on porting to new service providers was eased in
available before the crisis. Spain’s state of emergency April, replaced by specific limits placed on the types of
is scheduled to expire on 10 May, but has already been transfers allowed and number of switches operators
extended twice from its original period and so this date could perform per day. (May 1, 2020) mobileworldlive.com

Ofcom are proposing to enable greater access to amendments to the original draft, published in January,
Extremely High Frequency (EHF) spectrum in the due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Plan of Work is
100-200 GHz frequency range, given the potential to designed to set out the watchdog’s priorities and work
support a range of new wireless services in the future. program for the new financial year. In a statement,
United Other countries are also looking to use these spectrum the company said: ‘Since consulting on our draft plan
in January, the coronavirus pandemic has brought
bands, including the recent decision of the Federal
Kingdom Communications Commission to make them available significant challenges to the sectors we regulate.
in the USA. By increasing access to this spectrum, UK Much of the nation is working, learning and keeping
innovators – and, in future, consumers – could benefit in touch with family using vital communications
from international research collaboration, as well as services from home. So reliable phone and broadband,
economies of scale as new internationally compatible post and parcel deliveries and high-quality TV and
devices are likely to emerge. Ofcom believe these radio programmes have never been more important.’
proposals would help position the UK at the forefront The plan has been adapted to take account of the
of developing new services to use this spectrum and in ‘exceptional circumstances’ that have unfolded since
doing so help deliver benefits to people and businesses. the original consultation. Ofcom’s work, it says, will
In light of responses to the consultation on supporting be guided by the following strategic themes this
innovation in the 100-200 GHz range, published on 17 year (this has been modified to include only those
January 2020 and updated on 7 February, Ofcom have points pertinent to the Fiber Systems audience):
published a further consultation on additional details better broadband and mobile – wherever you are;
about the technical analysis underlying our proposals fairness for customers; supporting UK broadcasting;
and are inviting any comments that stakeholders ensuring online communications work for people and
might have. The main content of this consultation is businesses; enabling strong, secure networks. The
as follows: organization said that its focus will be on delivering
• Section 2 provides an updated version of our the work planned in-full over the course of the year.
Coexistence analysis with Earth Exploration- But it will monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and
Satellite Services (passive) (Annex 6 to the January keep plans flexible. In addition, an updated plan will be
2020 consultation), containing further clarifying published in September, alongside quarterly updates
information about the assumptions underlying on its progress. Amongst the work to be carried out
our technical analysis. All material in Section 2 this year, Ofcom will focus on supporting continued
which is additional to that which was published investment and competition in gigabit-capable fixed
in our January 2020 consultation (as Annex 6) is and wireless services including fiber and 5G to meet
presented in grey boxes. continually growing demand. The organization said
• Section 3 sets out further details of the coexistence that it is actively supporting investment in fiber
analysis which informed our January proposals. networks, and will conclude its Wholesale Telecoms
For the avoidance of doubt, this information does not Fixed Access market review by April next year. From
modify the proposals that Ofcom made in the January a wireless perspective, the regulator pledged to help
2020 consultation nor our underlying analysis. Ofcom new wireless services launch, for people and industry,
welcome comments on the further information we are including 5G. This is to ensure that the market has
releasing by 17 June 2020. (May 20, 2020) techuk.org the spectrum it needs to enable consumers to benefit
from an improved experience and to market players
UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has published to deploy innovative services and deliver economic
its Plan of Work 2020/21, which contains a number of benefits for the UK. In addition to these areas, Ofcom

124 MAY 2020