Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

its broadband infrastructure construction project, the minister claiming that even the ‘most remote villages’
MIT is aiming to ensure that 99% of Serbian households will have access to download speeds of over 100Mbps.
have access to advanced broadband networks, with the (November 23, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The telecommunications regulator, AKOS, opened a for the efficient use of a limited natural resource for 10
public tender for allocating 5G radio frequencies for the MHz and per 1,000 inhabitants with the consent of the
provisioning of public telecommunications services to Slovenian government, the agency noted. It hopes to
end users in the country, it said. The agency is inviting issue the final decisions on awarding the frequencies
Slovenia all interested parties in getting frequencies in the two by the middle of 2024. (November 6, 2023) www.seenews.com
blocks in the 2300 MHz band and one block in the
3600 MHz band to submit their bids by December 20, Telecoms regulator, the Agency for Communications
AKOS said in a statement on Friday. The objectives of Networks & Services (AKOS), has re-opened a public
the tender are to create conditions for the construction consultation into public funding for the rollout of
of local and regional cellular radio systems, advanced communications networks. The consultation covers
dedicated services for business users and ensure the the subsidized deployment of fixed broadband, 5G
digital inclusion of the local population, increasing the and backhaul infrastructure to improve connectivity in
social and economic well-being of citizens of Slovenia, underserved areas. Comments are being accepted until
especially new jobs in the years 2025 to 2030, AKOS 5 November.
said. AKOS determined the minimum payment amounts (October 11, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has Director Cosmas Zavazava. According to a press
announced the signing of a framework cooperation release, the framework cooperation agreement focuses
agreement with the International Telecommunication on critical areas of ICT development in Somalia through
Union (ITU) to promote the modernization and the development of regulatory frameworks, capacity
Somalia development of the country’s telecoms services building, the strengthening digital infrastructure,
and infrastructure. The agreement was signed by
connectivity and fostering trust in digital services.
the Minister of Communications and Technology of (November 10, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
Somalia Jama Khalif and the ITU Regional Development

The Independent Communications Authority of South any monies owed. The auction, which concluded in
Africa (ICASA) has confirmed that the country’s mobile March 2022, generated a total of ZAR14.5 billion, with
operators still owe a total of ZAR5.8 billion (USD302.6 a total of six bidders winning spectrum, namely: Cell C,
million) in license fees from last year’s multi-band Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, MTN, Rain
South Africa spectrum auction. The figure was revealed to ITWeb, Networks, Telkom and Vodacom. It has been widely
reported that Cell C – which bid ZAR288 million for a
but the regulator declined to provide an operator-by-
operator breakdown, citing confidentiality issues. 3.5GHz license – is one of the companies that has yet
Companies have been given until 31 October to pay to pay its license fee. (October 11, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

In line with previously announced plans, South Korea’s for spectrum. In terms of pricing, the MSIT has set a
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has confirmed it is KRW74.2 billion (USD57 million) minimum for a national
now accepting applications for 5G-suitable spectrum concession, while should the authorities fail to sell a
in the 28GHz (26.5GHz-27.3GHz) band. However, it nationwide license, the spectrum will be offered on a
South Korea caveats this by noting that frequencies are only being regional basis, at prices ranging from KRW1.8 billion to
KRW33.7 billion, dependent on the region. Applications
offered to new operators as part of measures aimed at
enhancing competition in the country’s mobile sector. for the spectrum have been requested by a deadline of
As such, the nation’s incumbent cellcos – SK Telecom, 19 December 2023.
KT Corp and LG Uplus – are barred from bidding (November 20, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

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