Page 135 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A group of Italian telcos have won a legal challenge and were granted an extension to the validity of their
against the extension of licenses held by rival operators permits. This move was challenged by TIM, Vodafone
in the 3.5GHz band. The Regional Administrative and Iliad, however, on the grounds that they had paid
Court (Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale, TAR) of considerably more for frequencies in the neighboring
Italy Lazio has accepted the appeal entered by Telecom 3.6GHz range in the government’s October 2018 5G
Italia (TIM), Vodafone and Iliad against the six-year
spectrum auction. Mondo Mobile Web reports that the
extension of 3.5GHz concessions to 31 December TAR has accepted their appeal, although it adds that
2029. 3.5GHz licenses held by Aria (part of Fastweb), its finding does not rule against the extension itself but
GO internet, Linkem and Mandarin had been due to solely the financial aspect of the renewal.
expire at end-2023, and in 2018 these firms requested (November 27, 2019) telegeography.com

The State Committee for IT & Communications assisting the development of the Internet of Things
announced on its website that the State Commission (IoT), in accordance with the country’s 2019-2023
on Radio Frequencies has decided to allocate Digital Transformation policy roadmap. The temporary
frequencies in test mode for 5G mobile network licenses will permit usage of spectrum within the
Kyrgyzstan operations while approving proposed measures for 3300MHz-5000MHz range. (December 17, 2019) commsupdate.com

The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has National Identification Verification Platform, which
reportedly launched a consultation on mandatory was announced in May 2019, will be rolled out this
SIM card registration with telecoms operators and week. If implemented, a SIM card registration scheme
other stakeholders in the country, which could also would require all telecoms service providers to use the
Liberia include biometric ID provisions. The LTA is keen to national identification card as a prerequisite for issuing
stamp down on cybercrime and other illegal activity
mobile numbers to new and (presumably) existing
with the director of the National Identification Registry, subscribers.
Tiah Nagbe, quoted as saying that the country’s (November 18, 2019) The New Dawn

The Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, has promised that the public consultation. The Prime Minister said the
5G-suitable spectrum will be allocated by mid-2020, in Department of Media, Telecommunications and Digital
line with the European Commission’s timetable, reports Policy is currently reviewing 29 projects submitted as
Paperjam. Speaking at the opening of the Luxembourg part of the government’s 5G strategy, adding: ‘5G is not
Luxembourg 5G Conference, Mr. Bettel also revealed that an extra the technology of the future, it is ready for deployment.’
50MHz of spectrum in the 3.6GHz band would be
(December 12, 2019) commsupdate.com
added to the 280MHz originally announced during

The Dutch government detailed its financial goals them. State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate
for its first auction of 5G spectrum, but cast doubt Policy Mona Keijzer said the action would “protect
on vendor participation by warning those deemed networks against unreliable suppliers”. Specifically,
to pose a security risk would be blocked from future a vendor will be banned if “suspected that it can
The network builds. In a statement, the government said it misuse or drop out the Dutch telecom infrastructure
and services. Or if there is a close connection with
would auction frequencies in the 700MHz, 1400MHz
Netherlands and 2100MHz bands by 30 June 2020, predicting the or legal control by foreign authorities or third parties
sales would raise €900 million. The country’s three such as companies and intelligence services involved
largest operators, KPN, Vodafone Ziggo and T-Mobile in espionage, influencing or sabotage, with this party”.
Netherlands, are all expected to take part. An auction (December 6, 2019) mobileworldlive.com
of mid-band 3.5GHz spectrum will follow in early
2022, as the band is currently being used for satellite The government of the Netherlands launched a
communications by Dutch intelligence services. public consultation on the draft plan for the country’s
Although not directly naming Huawei, the Dutch 700MHz/1400MHz/2100MHz 5G spectrum auction
government stated if a vendor was suspected to be scheduled for May 2020. The government aims for at
an espionage risk, operators will be ordered to exclude least three 5G licensees, with an individual 40% spectrum

135 NOVEMBER 2019