Page 144 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Communications Commission (NCC) it is understood to have designated spectrum between
is scheduled to kick off its auction for 5G-suitable 4.8GHz and 4.9GHz for new 5G trials, and so far,
spectrum across the 1800MHz (20MHz), 3.5GHz Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications,
(270MHz) and 28GHz (2,500MHz) bands next week, Taiwan Mobile Company, Asia Pacific Telecom and HTC
ahead of which the government has reportedly have all applied for access. Chen Chung-shu, director
Taiwan approved a proposal to make additional frequencies of the NCC’s Department of Frequency and Resources,

available for 5G trials. Under the plan approved by the was, meanwhile, said to have confirmed that the
Cabinet (5 December), the state will allocate TWD20.5 regulator plans to designate additional frequencies for
billion (USD655 million) over the next four years to help 5G testing in the future. (December 6, 2019) Focus Taiwan
create an environment conducive to the development
of innovative 5G apps. As per the government’s plans,

The telecoms committee of the National Broadcasting letters urging the NBTC to only auction the 2600MHz
and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has range, with more accommodating conditions for 5G
proposed the removal of the 700MHz band from the infrastructure promotion; the NBTC was also asked
forthcoming 5G auction scheduled for 16 February, to take into account the financial burdens of 3G and
thus reducing the number of bands to be sold off to 4G licenses shouldered by operators. Mr. Takorn said
Thailand three. The Bangkok Post writes that the resolution that while he personally has no objections to holding
will now be forwarded to the NBTC board for approval a single-band auction, ‘such a resolution must be
on 24 December. The frequencies that will be put up done through the NBTC’s management procedure and
for auction in February will comprise the 1800MHz, approved formally by the board.’
2600MHz and 26GHz bands, while the 700MHz band (December 19, 2019) commsupdate.com
is now expected to be auctioned off separately in
the future. The 700MHz airwaves are currently being A series of regulations governing 5G technology
used by broadcasting network providers, and need to adoption and related frameworks are expected to be
be migrated to the 510MHz-690MHz range, though launched by March next year, says the Thai National
the transfer of the equipment has fallen behind, with Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission
the delay expected to last until November (instead of (NBTC). The regulations include the technical standard
the original deadline of September). Takorn Tantasith, for networks and terminals for 5G, the numbering
Secretary-General of the NBTC, was quoted as saying and identification of Internet of Things (IoT) devices,
that the committee also passed a resolution regarding security and privacy, data arrangement structure and
payment terms for the 26GHz licenses, agreeing to data interoperability. Korkij Danchaivichit, deputy
allow concession winners to postpone the payment secretary-general of the NBTC, said the agency has
of the whole licensing sum until the second year of been talking with the private sector to work out the
license award. An unnamed source in the telecoms details of the 5G network and terminal standards. An
industry, meanwhile, said that the major telecoms initial regulatory framework is expected in early 2020
operators are currently discussing whether or not to before the 5G license auction in February. Last month,
participate in the 5G spectrum auction. The source the NBTC announced a plan to launch commercial
said that the multi-band license auction is impractical 5G wireless broadband service at Suvarnabhumi and
in terms of 5G platform promotion, with reserve prices Don Mueang airports by May 2020 as the first sites
for the spectrum set too high. Mr. Takorn confirmed for ultra-fast wireless internet adoption in Thailand.
that the three major mobile operators have submitted (December 16, 2019) en.vietnamplus.vn

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) allow the license holder to establish and provide
has completed its review of the Telecommunications both infrastructure and services across the entire
Licensing Framework, which started in April 2019, and geographical boundary of Uganda. The license
has introduced a new licensing regime with several duration will be 15 years. A holder of this license shall
Uganda changes including local shareholding requirements be required to issue 20% of its stock on the Uganda
Stock Exchange within two years of the grant of the
for some categories, and licenses for digital financial
services and audio-visual content. This new framework license.
is expected to come into force in 2020. Salient features National Public Service Provider (NPSP) License. This
are as follows. will allow the licensee to provide either voice and data
Major licenses under the new framework services or capacity resale services across Uganda.
National Telecom Operator (NTO) License. This will The licensee will not be allowed to install or otherwise

144 NOVEMBER 2019