Page 132 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

one mobile network operator (MNO) ‘outside 42%-57% of 2022 on the future use of the unpaired 2100MHz
of premises’ at September 2021. Beyond that, Ofcom spectrum band, including on a proposal to revoke
said that mobile coverage remained ‘generally stable’, unpaired spectrum licenses. As such, it said it was not
with all four of the UK’s MNOs – EE, O2 UK, Three UK setting a fee for unpaired 2100MHz frequencies it in its
and Vodafone UK – estimating they could provide decision statement. (December 14, 2021) commsupdate.com
4G outdoor coverage to around 99% of premises.
Networks’ coverage of the UK landmass ranged from A number of the UK’s fixed broadband infrastructure
around 79% to around 86%, meanwhile. providers, including CityFibre and Gigaclear, are said to
(December 17, 2021) commsupdate.com be planning to launch a legal challenge against Ofcom’s
recent decision on a new fiber-to-the-premises
British telecoms regulator Ofcom has published the (FTTP) pricing offer from Openreach. As previously
annual license fees (ALFs) for paired spectrum in the reported by CommsUpdate, in September 2021 Ofcom
2100MHz band. With frequencies in that band having revealed it had decided not to take any action regarding
originally been auctioned off in 2000 for a fixed period of Openreach’s planned ‘Equinox Offer’ pricing plan,
20 years, in 2011 the regulator varied the concessions which introduced a notable reduction in the cost of
to make them indefinite and included a new provision its wholesale FTTP products. According to ISPreview,
in the licenses requiring the payment of ALFs from 1 while ISPs reliant on Openreach’s wholesale offerings
January 2022. Having published a consultation on its were – unsurprisingly perhaps – generally supportive
proposed fees in July 2021, Ofcom has now set out its of the new pricing, it prompted far less favorable
decision on the level for the charges based on what it responses from rival infrastructure providers. A
termed ‘a conservative estimate of the market value number of ISPs argue that Openreach’s new discounts
having regard to UK mobile spectrum auctions’ evidence could ultimately result in a reduction of competitive
alongside international evidence (where available)’. As fiber infrastructure investment, which in turn could
per Ofcom’s decision it has set an ALF of GBP561,000 lead to higher prices for consumers in the future. With
(USD743,000) per MHz for paired 2100MHz spectrum, a deadline to challenge Ofcom’s decision through the
meaning that based on their current paired 2100MHz Competition Appeals Tribunal expiring at the end of
spectrum holdings (and based on April 2021 prices), this month, the report suggests several altnets are
the country’s mobile network operators will be required planning to launch a legal challenge regarding the
to pay the following annual fees: EE, GBP22.44 million; matter. Although not explicitly confirming such plans,
O2, GBP11.22 million; Three UK, GBP16.55 million; CityFibre CEO Greg Mesch did say his company was
and Vodafone UK, GBP16.61 million. Further, it was ‘considering appropriate next steps’, while Gigaclear’s
noted that these fees will increase by CPI each year. chief executive Gareth Williams was cited as saying it
Meanwhile, having considered consultation responses intended to join proposed legal action launched by a
Ofcom has said it plans consult further in the first half rival provider. (November 22, 2021) commsupdate.com

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) US Senators confirmed Jessica Rosenworcel as
has announced that it is ready to authorize more than permanent Chair of the Federal Communications
USD1 billion over ten years in its fifth round of funding Commission (FCC) by a majority vote, leaving the
for new broadband deployments through the ‘Rural regulator with two Democrat and two Republican
Digital Opportunity Fund’. In a press release regarding members. Rosenworcel took on the role of Acting
United the matter, the FCC said that in what it claimed was ‘the Chair following the departure of predecessor Ajit Pai
States largest funding wave to date’, a total of 69 broadband in January and is the first woman to lead the FCC. In
providers will bring high speed services to 518,088 a tweet, she described the post as “the honor of my
locations in 32 states. Commenting, FCC Chairwoman lifetime” and noted there is “work to do to make sure
Jessica Rosenworcel said: ‘This latest round of funding modern communications reach everyone, everywhere”.
will open up even more opportunities to connect During her nine years as an FCC commissioner,
hundreds of thousands of Americans to high-speed, Rosenworcel emerged as a strong advocate for
reliable broadband service … Today’s actions reflect government subsidies for access to broadband,
the hard work we’ve put in over the past year to ensure including mobile broadband. Democratic Senator
that applicants meet their obligations and follow our Edward Markey, who sits on a committee exploring
rules. With thoughtful oversight, this program can broadband and communications, released a statement
direct funding to areas that need broadband and to praising Rosenworcel’s stance on net neutrality. While
providers who are qualified to do the job.’ President Joe Biden issued an order urging the FCC
(December 20, 2021) commsupdate.com to reinstate net neutrality, the regulator is unlikely to

132 NOV-DEC 2021