Page 123 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

out. Markets with more 5G penetration by the end of 500 5G models have so far been launched, accounting
the period will probably see more data use," said Patrik for 23% of global smartphone volumes after 10 quarters
Cerwall, head, strategic marketing, and editor, Ericsson into the technology cycle. Ericsson did not comment
Mobility Report. According to the report, the rollout of on the share of 5G smartphones in India.
5G devices is outpacing 4G market share globally. Over (November 30, 2021) livemint.com

The Commission for Communications Regulation regarding the adoption of OTA in Ireland, with actions
(ComReg) has published a consultation on its proposed to address these recommended for both ComReg and
approach to promote Over-the-Air (OTA) provisioning local cellcos. One key challenge highlighted is the
to facilitate faster and easier switching between mobile limited level of support for eSIM for consumer devices
Ireland network operators (MNOs). With ComReg highlighting among Irish MNOs, a factor which is claimed to have
the fact that a growing number of mobile devices have resulted in Ireland lagging international peers in eSIM
eSIMs, it suggests that OTA will allow for easier, faster support. To address the matter, ComReg has said
switching, effectively reducing the time required to it is ‘minded to adopt a number of actions, including
move to a new provider to minutes. Meanwhile, the mandating that Irish mobile operators … provide fully
Irish watchdog noted that the new European Directive digital OTA provisioning journeys for smartphones
for regulation of the sector – the European Electronic users within twelve months of publication of its final
Communications Code – requires each Member State strategy’. Meanwhile, ComReg has proposed minimum
to promote OTA provisioning to facilitate switching and criteria for what a ‘best-in-class, fully digital OTA
also gives discretion to regulators to define switching customer journey for smartphone users’ would entail,
processes that utilize OTA provisioning. Further, the while also examining other matters related to switching
Code also requires that MNOs maintain traditional such as the locking of handsets. ComReg has invited
switching processes for consumers who prefer the feedback on the proposals in its consultation by a 17
current method of switching. ComReg’s consultation December 2021 deadline, while it says its response to
matter is said to incorporate the findings of a study it the consultation, which will include a final strategy and
commissioned on the options for regulators to promote action plan, is expected to be completed by Q2 2022.
OTA. In this, a number of challenges were identified (November 9, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority though these will only be considered in the event that a
(CURA) has published a final information memorandum qualified bidder’s primary bid is not successful. A total
on its plans to award spectrum licenses in the 700MHz of 49 spectrum lots are being offered in the auction,
and 3.6GHz bands. The announcement follows a comprising: six lots of 2×5MHz in the 700MHz band
Isle of Man consultation on the matter, launched in July 2021, (703MHz-733MHz/759MHz-788MHz), with a per-
that set out the regulator’s preliminary views on the bidder cap of 15MHz paired spectrum applying; a
processes for offering up new concessions. Included in further four unpaired 5MHz lots in the 700MHz band
the plans were: details of the spectrum to be awarded; (738MHz-758MHz), with a 10MHz cap applying; and
the timescale of the sale process; and the proposed 39 10MHz blocks in the 3.6GHz band (3410MHz-
auction rules. In short, CURA has now confirmed that 3800MHz), with a 100MHz cap applying. Further, CURA
would-be bidders will be required to apply to take has noted it is holding meetings with interested parties
part in the sale between 17 January and 21 January to ‘discuss and provide detailed guidance on the license
2022. Meanwhile, with the format of the award process award application documentation’; these meetings are
having been set as a single sealed bid auction, the being held between 6 December and 17 December.
regulator has confirmed that applicants will have the (December 7, 2021) commsupdate.com
option of submitting up to five supplementary bids,

The Italian government has unveiled plans to invest Iliad. The funds will be allocated via a series of tenders.
EUR2 billion (USD2.3 billion) to guarantee mobile data In response to an Infratel survey, the operators said
speeds of at least 150Mbps across the entire country they had 66,698 base stations deployed between them
by 2026. The government-backed body Infratel aims at present, and this number would rise to 73,931 by
Italy to invest in the rollout of 5G networks in areas which 2026, covering 47,103 unique sites. Infratel says that
equipment at 11,352 sites will not be connected to
will not be covered under the commercial investment
plans of Italian cellcos TIM, WINDTRE, Vodafone and fiber backhaul by 2026, with contracts to be awarded

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