Page 133 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

tackle the subject until a fifth member is appointed. The by all of us”, Rosenworcel said. “We’re coming up with
president nominated attorney Gigi Sohn to the seat, a methodology so that states, municipalities and tribes
though there are reports of dissent among politicians can challenge any data that they see that carriers have
regarding her appointment. (December 8, 2021) mobileworldlive.com filed with us”. The US government aims to employ
data on areas with inadequate broadband to steer
Acting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocation of funding for infrastructure including fixed
chair Jessica Rosenworcel (pictured) told politicians wireless access networks. Rosenworcel was pressed
the regulator was seeking the publics’ help to update on net neutrality during the meeting, asserting the FCC
broadband coverage maps, continuing a strategy “inherently has authority” to act without Congress on
employed in overhauling mobile coverage data. the issue and reiterating her backing for open access.
Rosenworcel told US Senators the FCC is working In July, US President Joe Biden called for a return to
to update a speed test app to enable consumers to net neutrality, though some politicians have argued
measure performance from their mobile phone, while for a more measured approach. Rosenworcel is the
noting there is a role to be played in the process by president’s pick to become permanent chair of the
local government. “The best maps are not just going to FCC: politicians are expected to vote on the matter on 1
be built by us in Washington, they’re going to be built December. (November 18, 2021) mobileworldlive.com

The Regulatory Unit of Communications Services mobile telephony services, and two months later a
(URSEC) has announced that the country’s mobile committee comprising representatives from industry
operators have signed contracts with the recently- regulators and mobile operators was established to
selected mobile number portability (MNP) database prepare for the introduction of MNP. Following on
administrator. According to the regulator, the move from this, the government approved the regulatory
Uruguay will facilitate the planned launch of MNP by the end conditions, general rules and timetable for the long-
of this year. Back in August, the Number Portability delayed introduction of MNP in January, under which
Committee chose the Cleartech – Cietel consortium as tests of the system were expected to begin in July
its first choice for the role of database administrator ahead of a commercial launch of MNP on 1 October
for the period 2021-2026. The consortium will be 2021. However, the timetable was subsequently
responsible for the implementation, development and delayed in May in order to ensure the security and
management of MNP for the first five years. According transparency of the process. Mobile operators will bear
to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Law the cost of the number transfer process, which should
19,889/2020, which was approved in July 2020, take no more than three days to complete.
declares that number portability is a right of users of (November 29, 2021) commsupdate.com

Beeline Telecom, which was awarded Zambia’s fourth has delayed its launch plans. At the time of the license
mobile license in February this year, will launch a com- award, ZICTA warned the newcomer that it was obliged
mercial service by 30 June 2022, it has been revealed. to launch within six months of receiving its license
An unnamed spokesperson from the Zambia Infor- (i.e. by August 2021), or risk forfeiting the concession.
mation and Communications Technology Authority However, it now appears that the watchdog is prepared
Zambia (ZICTA) told that the start-up has struggled with ‘the to take a more lenient stance towards Beeline’s rollout
procurement of equipment and installations’, which schedule. (November 12, 2021) The Zambia Daily Mail

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