Page 91 - SAMENA Trends - November 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Communications Authority (Nasjonal in the 700MHz band (713MHz-718MHz/768MHz-
kommunikasjonsmyndighet, NKOM) has announced 773MHz) for offshore use, while a further 2×5MHz in the
that it is accepting applications for spectrum in the 900MHz band (900MHz-905MHz/945MHz-950MHz)
700MHz and 900MHz bands for offshore use. In a is also being made available. For those companies that
Norway press release, the regulator noted that the inviting of are successful in their applications for the spectrum,
interested parties to apply for frequencies comes after
the allocations will be valid until 31 December 2033.
it received an application for 900MHz spectrum from Interested parties have been given until 30 November
an unnamed company. In terms of the frequencies to 2020 to apply.
be offered, NKOM notes that it will allocate a 2×5MHz (November 10, 2020) commsupdate.com

Peruvian telecom sector watchdog the Supervisory different companies, as well as its IMEI checker, which
Agency for Private Investment in Telecommunications lets customers verify the IMEI code of their device
(Organismo Supervisor de Inversion Privada en to ensure that it is not registered as lost or stolen.
Telecommuniciones, OSIPTEL) has launched an The application also features the regulator’s ‘Signal
Peru application to assist customers with various services. OSIPTEL’ service, which allows users to check the
According to the regulator, the app unifies into a single
coverage of mobile networks in towns across the
platform the various tools developed by OSIPTEL to country. OSIPTEL notes that the application is available
empower customers. These include its ‘Comparatel’ for Android and iOS platforms.
tool, which enables users to compare the tariffs of (November 24, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Polish government has set a new deadline for the Polish cellco Plus (registered as Polkomtel) is to pay
completion of the delayed auction of 3.7GHz spectrum PLN21.6 million (USD5.7 million) to renew its license
for 5G mobile services. Having missed its original in the 420MHz band for a further 15 years. The
target of 30 June 2020 due to a combination of factors concession, which includes 2×2.5MHz of frequencies
Poland including changes to legislation and the COVID-19 (412.5MHz-415.0MHz paired with 422.5MHz-
425.0MHz), was previously held by Plus subsidiary
pandemic, the government now wants the auction to be
completed by 27 August 2021. The country’s telecoms Nordisk Polska, which paid PLN16.1 million for a 14-
regulator, the Office of Electronic Communications year license in 2006. Nordisk was acquired by Plus
(Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej, UKE), is hopeful in 2009 and was merged into its parent last year. The
that a sale will take place in the first half of next year. spectrum is used for CDMA-based mobile dispatch
(November 20, 2020) commsupdate.com and telemetry services, plus wireless internet access in
rural areas with poor cellular coverage. (November 17, 2020)
commsupdate.com

Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a decree the federal budget. Rospechat, formed in the same
‘On improving public administration in the field of year, provides government services and manages
digital development, communications and mass state property in the field of press and mass media/
media’ abolishing the Federal Communications communications, including public computer networks/
Russia Agency (Rossvyaz) and the Federal Agency for Press electronic media as well as printing/publishing.
& Mass Communications (Rospechat), which are
TeleGeography notes that the Federal Service for
both subordinate agencies to the Ministry of Digital Supervision of Communications, IT & Mass Media
Development, Communications & Mass Media. (Roskomnadzor) continues as a subordinate Ministry
An announcement from the Ministry said that the agency. Roskomnadzor, established via decree in
integration of its subordinates will allow more efficient December 2008, holds responsibilities in control and
use of resources. All functionalities will be gradually supervision of electronic communications, IT and mass
transferred to the Ministry, in line with administrative media/communications, as well as the coordination
reforms to centralize state management announced of radio frequencies. Licensing of telecommunication
by the prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin. Rossvyaz, services is overseen by Roskomnadzor. Additionally,
established in 2004, is responsible for overseeing the State Commission for Radio Frequencies (SCRF) is
universal telecoms service obligations, telecoms an inter-agency coordinating body under the Ministry,
numbering resources, the development of satellite which has full authority in the regulation of wireless
communications networks and the execution of spectrum. (November24, 2020) commsupdate.com

91 NOVEMBER 2020