Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

to upgrade all sites to ensure nationwide 5G coverage. Sera that tenders to connect 6.2 million premises to
(November 17, 2021) commsupdate.com fiber-optic networks will begin in January, and this will
be followed by projects to expand 5G coverage. The
The government says it plans to kick off a series of fiber schemes will target rural and semi-rural areas,
tenders early next year to expand fiber and 5G coverage particularly in the south of the country, while the 5G
under a EUR4 billion (USD4.65 billion) investment plan envisages improved connectivity for locations
scheme. Minister for Technological Innovation and such as major rail lines and sparsely populated areas
Digital Transition Vittorio Colao told Corriere della to support agriculture. (November 3, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) is and ‘triple-play, phone, broadband and mobile’.
launching a study of retail pricing is to be launched this Commenting, Peter Hetherington, Senior Economic
month, noting that it aims to assess how prices in the Case Officer at the JCRA, said: ‘Market studies are an
Bailiwick’s telecoms markets compare internationally important area of our work and can be used to promote
Jersey with other similar jurisdictions, including Guernsey and a competitive environment. This study will help
provide a better understanding of how prices in Jersey
the Isle of Man. According to the JCRA, the new study
will benchmark retail prices in the domestic telecoms compare internationally, which is an indicator of how
market against comparator jurisdictions and will follow well the telecoms market is working for consumers
an established methodology – set by the Organization … The study also has broader benefits. For example,
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – telecommunication services are an element that can
to compare retail prices for key consumer services (as drive inflation. Therefore, understanding pricing better
of the fourth quarter of 2021). It is understood that the can help support the Government’s anti-inflation
JCRA’s study will consider ‘different defined services’, strategy.’ With market study scheduled to start this
specifically: fixed voice; mobile voice and data; mobile month, the JCRA has said its findings are expected to
broadband (dongle-based mobile broadband); and be published in the first quarter of 2022.
bundled services, including ‘phone and broadband’ (November 17, 2021) commsupdate.com

The telecoms watchdog Public Utilities Commission internet and improve coverage, while reducing latency
(Sabiedrisko Pakalpojumu Regulesanas Komisija, in the future for equipment used by both private and
SPRK) completed its auction of spectrum in the business customers.’ Bite, meanwhile, revealed
700MHz band on Friday, but the results have yet to that it had purchased the license for the 723MHz-
Latvia be confirmed by the SPRK Council. In a statement 733MHz/778MHz-788MHz airwaves. Bite plans to
issued by the regulator, the SPRK noted that before the
invest EUR70 million over the next three years to build
results of the auction are published, the council must out ‘several hundred’ new 5G base stations throughout
first ensure that all of the winning bidders complied Riga and other major cities. (December 20, 2021) commsupdate.com
with regulations. Once this process is completed,
the SPRK will issue a decision approving the auction Telecoms watchdog the Public Utilities Commission
results. The regulator expects to reach a decision on (Sabiedrisko Pakalpojumu Regulesanas Komisija,
the matter by 27 December. The tender comprised SPRK) will auction spectrum in the 700MHz band for
the three licenses for 2×10MHz in the 700MHz range 5G services next month. The tender comprises three
with a starting price of EUR2.2 million (USD2.5 million) licences for the use of 2×10MHz in the 700MHz range
and a duration of 20 years (February 2022 to January with a starting price of EUR2.2 million (USD2.5 million)
2042) and two 1×10MHz blocks with a slightly shorter and a duration of 20 years (February 2022 to January
duration (February 2025 to January 2042) and a base 2042). In addition, the SPRK will sell two 1×10MHz
cost of EUR150,000. Despite the lack of confirmation blocks with a slightly shorter duration (February 2025
regarding the results of the tender, Latvian cellcos to January 2042) and a base cost of EUR150,000. The
Tele2 and Bite have each published statements auction is set to take place on 16 December 2021. SPRK
claiming that they have purchased spectrum in the Chair Alda Ozola was quoted as saying of the tender:
700MHz band. For its part, Tele2 announced that it ‘This frequency band is important for the development
had purchased the rights to spectrum at 703MHz- of 5G network, as well as electronic communications
713MHz/758MHz-768MHz. Petras Masiulis, CEO for network services and competition in Latvia. The
Tele2 Baltic, was quoted as saying of the purchase: ‘By benefits will be felt by users as well as other electronic
acquiring these important rights to use the spectrum, communications merchants, receiving faster internet
we will start to expand our 5G network in Latvia much download speeds and better coverage in the country.’
more actively. This will increase the speed of mobile (November 24, 2021) commsupdate.com

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