Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

WHOLESALE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Nkom to Introduce New Wholesale Broadband Obligation for Telenor Norge

Norway’s National Communications central access provided at a fixed location sector. As per the Nkom’s proposals, it
Authority (Nasjonal kommunikas- for mass-market products), it should now has directed Telenor to develop a standard
jonsmyndighet, Nkom) has proposed that be required to offer wholesale wireless offer for wholesale access to its fixed-
fixed line incumbent Telenor Norge should access due to the telco’s ongoing plans wireless broadband network by 1 February
be obliged to offer wholesale customers to decommission its copper network. In 2020, with the product to be made available
access to its fixed-wireless broadband its opinion, extending wholesale access for order by 1 March that year. Pursuant
network. In a press release regarding in this fashion would ensure Telenor’s to the above, the watchdog has called for
the matter, the Nkom said that, while wholesale customers have access to a comments on the matter from both Telenor
acknowledging Telenor is already required replacement technology as the incumbent and any other interested parties, setting a
to give competitors access to its fiber and moves forward with the phasing out of its deadline of 19 December for submissions.
copper infrastructure as per its most recent copper network, and ensure competition
regulatory ruling on market 3b (wholesale is maintained in the country’s broadband

Zong 4G Announces Prepaid Leveraging on the award-winning roaming service can be activated
4G services in Pakistan, Zong
without cost by dialing the 310
Data Roaming Bundles for China 4G, a leading telecommunication helpline. “Our earnest dedication
company, is now offering two towards our customers is the
affordable data bundles to its force behind our commitment to
valued prepaid customers traveling providing an unmatched roaming
to China. Making roaming services experience for our customers. The
more accessible for prepaid launch of these two bundles is in
customers and providing them with line with our strategy of providing
the best-in-class communication our traveling customers with a
experience, Zong 4G is committed seamless experience on Zong 4G’s
in its quest of transcending borders widest and largest network. With
through its ubiquitous network. more customers traveling abroad,
The prepaid bundles not only Zong 4G understands their data
provide the most reasonable data needs and is hence empowering
rates but also provides access to them with the best possible 4G
WhatsApp, Facebook and all the data roaming services, no matter
other social media apps which where they are,” said a company
are normally blocked in China. spokesperson. Zong 4G is the clear
Offering these benefits plus fast industry-leader in 4G roaming
speed data at a very economical services, offering more than 70
rate, prompts all users to avail 4G roaming destinations to its
these roaming services. The customers.

Cell C Inks a New Roaming Deal with MTN

MTN South Africa and Cell C have signed a comprehensive new MTN said in a statement to shareholders on Monday morning.
roaming deal, potentially making it more complicated for Telkom “MTN looks forward to transparent engagement with relevant
to pursue an acquisition of Cell C. The new “long-form roaming stakeholders regarding this important industry milestone.”
and services agreement” will allow Cell C to roam on MTN’s The expanded deal with MTN was a prerequisite of a planned
network in all areas of the country. Previously, it only had access recapitalization of Cell C being led by the Buffet Consortium.
to MTN’s 2G, 3G and 4G network in selected parts of the country. Cell C has said previously that it hopes to have the Buffet deal
“This is aligned to MTN’s strategy to further develop the group’s wrapped up by the end of the year. However, Telkom last week
wholesale business and will allow both MTN and Cell C to harness said it is again interested in a possible acquisition of the troubled
greater efficiencies in providing telecommunications services, company. This is despite Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko having said
while supporting a more sustainable and competitive industry,” previously that he is no longer interested in a deal.

90 NOVEMBER 2019