Page 97 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The Minister of Natural Resources, Oil & Gas, Diamantino by Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, daughter of
Azevedo, has announced that the government is former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos – and Geni,
preparing to open an international public tender to an investment vehicle of Leopoldino do Nascimento
find new shareholders for the country’s mobile market (‘General Dino’, a close associate of former president
Angola leader Unitel, reports Jornal de Negocios. The minister dos Santos). State oil company Sonangol owns the
told journalists that the move is aimed at protecting other 50% of Unitel, partly via its subsidiary Mercury
strategic telecoms sector assets and ensuring greater Telecom (MSTelcom). Interpol recently issued an
stability and efficiency for Unitel. Last month Angola international arrest warrant against Isabel dos Santos
finalized the nationalization of two 25% stakes in Unitel at the request of the Attorney General of the Republic of
previously held by private companies Vidatel – owned Angola. (November 22, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The telecoms regulator the Public Services Regulatory improvements in terms of access to mobile broadband
Commission (PSRC) has reportedly approved a network coverage in indoor areas. Details are sketchy,
decision to hold a series of tenders for the rights to but the government hopes the auctions will raise at
use the 700MHz, 800MHz and 1800MHz frequency least AMD3.8 billion (USD9 million) for state coffers
Armenia bands. In creating a tender commission to oversee from the licensing of 90MHz of radio frequencies
the process, the PSRC said the auction should lead to through the tender. Further, successful licensees are
the deployment of 5G mobile broadband networks in forecast to need to spend between AMD25 billion and
Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor, as well as increasing the AMD35 billion to meet the obligations stipulated by the
proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and permits. (November 24, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission variation proposal today in the interest of transparency,
(ACCC) has published a revised proposed variation to so interested parties can begin scrutinizing it ahead
NBN Co’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU), along of the remainder of NBN Co’s supporting materials
with the material that the latter has already provided in becoming available … It is too early to comment on the
Australia support of its proposal. The ACCC states that the SAU substance of this revised proposal, but we will develop
is a ‘key part’ of the regulation of Australia’s National views to test with stakeholders when we release our
Broadband Network (NBN), given it sets the rules consultation paper.’ (November 30, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
for broadband providers to access the infrastructure
over the coming decades, including minimum service The Australian Communications and Media Authority
standards and wholesale price controls. Previously, in (ACMA) has launched a consultation on proposals
July 2022 NBN Co “withdrew an earlier proposal” https:// to redraw the legislation governing the technical
www.commsupdate.com/articles/2022/07/28/nbn-co- framework for several spectrum license bands that
withdraws-sau-variation proposal for a variation of its are currently due to expire on 1 April 2023. In its
SAU, at which date the regulator noted that a consultation consultation on the matter, which runs until 2 December
on those initial plans had identified ‘a range of potential 2022, the ACMA said that it has formed a preliminary
issues’, while it highlighted the fact that submissions view that the legislative instruments – which relate
that consultation from the telecommunications industry to the 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2.5GHz and 2.5GHz ‘mid-
were ‘generally not supportive’. Now, in light of the band gap’ bands – are still operating ‘effectively and
updated variation proposals, the ACCC has said that, efficiently’ and as such ‘continue to form a necessary
upon receipt of the remainder of the supporting material and useful part of the regulatory framework’. To that
from the wholesale operator, it will confirm that it meets end, the regulator has proposed remaking the technical
the ACCC’s disclosure requirements. Meanwhile, it framework instruments, while it has provided reasoning
added that it intends to issue a public statement on for any associated amendments in its consultation.
the proposals when it publishes its consultation paper According to the ACMA, it aims to make the new
in relation to NBN Co’s proposal, ‘likely in early 2023’. technical framework instruments in the first quarter
ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey was cited as saying of 2023, once it has considered the outcomes of its
of the matter: ‘We’ve published NBN Co’s revised consultation process, while it has confirmed the new

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