Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

MinTIC raised the cap covering the sub-1GHz low spectrum cap for 1710MHz to 2690MHz spectrum
bands (689MHz to 960MHz) from 30MHz to 45MHz from 85MHz to 90MHz.
per operator, while simultaneously increasing the (November 23, 2021) BN Americas

The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) and non-use of the spectrum assigned to Grupo ICE in
has informed the Ministry of Science, Technology and the frequency bands of 1400MHz, 2600MHz, 3500MHz
Telecommunications (MICITT) that it is unwilling to re- and 26GHz, which today are essential for the develop-
imburse state-backed Grupo ICE for its unused 5G fre- ment of 5G technology. As these frequencies are not
Costa Rica quencies. The regulator is keen to press ahead with a used or with inefficient use, no compensation would
5G auction, but first it needs to seize a number of spec- be possible, as established in article 22 of the Gener-
trum blocks currently assigned to ICE, which offers tele- al Telecommunications Law No. 8642.’ Sutel says that
coms services under the Kolbi brand. A press release the country’s economy stands to lose up to US1.134
issued by the watchdog states: ‘Sutel has documented billion by 2024 if the frequencies are not made avail-
in 16 technical-legal reports since 2012 the under-use able for 5G use. (November 12, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Regulatory Agency for Network Operations determine the best method for allocating the spectrum,
(Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrezne djelatnosti, with the award process due to kick off in December
HAKOM) has launched a public consultation to discuss next year and be completed by March 2023. Existing
the future use of radio spectrum across multiple bands licenses in the 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz
Croatia ahead of its planned allocation in late 2022/early 2023. and 2.6GHz ranges expire in 2024. Comments on the
The spectrum in question is in the 800MHz, 900MHz, consultation are being welcomed until 6 December.
1500MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2.6GHz, 3.6GHz and (November 9, 2021) commsupdate.com
26GHz frequency bands. The regulator is seeking to

The Czech Telecommunication Office (Cesky allocations have been, and continue to be, technology-
telekomunikacni urad, CTU) has extended the allocation neutral per European legislation, allowing their
of frequencies to operators in the 2100 MHz band for holders to innovate the technologies used to provide
another 20 years. It also has imposed a new obligation electronic communications services. Under the current
Czech Republic to support older phones. In a press release explaining legislation, new block allocations shall be offered to
the new concept, CTU noted that O2 is obliged to their current holders at a price determined by an expert
maintain its 2G GSM network until at least 2028 unless report which respects both the period of validity and the
the share of all users using this older technology falls costs necessary to meet any new conditions imposed.
below 5%. The regulator is mindful that some Czechs (December 22, 2021) developingtelecoms.com
(usually senior citizens) do not cope so well with more
modern smartphones and it wants to ensure their The Czech Telecommunication Office (Cesky
ability to make voice calls is maintained. CTU Council telekomunikacni urad, CTU) has extended O2 Czech
Chair, Mrs. Hana Továrková, has reached a consensus Republic’s license to use the 2100MHz band – the
with operator O2 which will be a benefit for the general current one was due to expire on 1 January 2022 – and
public. "The negotiations have been difficult, and I imposed a new obligation to support older phones. In
am not afraid to call our approach innovative. We a press release explaining the new concept, CTU noted
hereby thank O2 for reaching a consensus that will that O2 is obliged to maintain its 2G GSM network
particularly benefit the elderly and the socially weaker until at least 2028, unless the share of all users using
persons," said Hana Továrková. "It is in our interest this older technology falls below 5%. The regulator is
to maintain the most attractive possible spectrum mindful that some Czechs (usually senior citizens)
which enables us to continue deploying fast and high- do not cope so well with more modern smartphones
quality 5G network. However, we also understand and it wants to ensure their ability to make voice calls
the need for an older 2G network suitable for basic is maintained. CTU went on to note that new block
phones, which we are prepared to continue to operate allocations will most likely be issued to other holders of
as well as ever, “said Václav Zakouřil, a member of the allocations in the 2100MHz band in future, adding that
board of directors of O2. In the following period, new all block allocations are, and continue to be, technology
block allocations will most likely be issued to other neutral in accordance with European legislation.
holders of allocations in the 2100 MHz band. All block (December 17, 2021) commsupdate.com

119 NOV-DEC 2021