Page 127 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

interference, and on its initial views on the measures it terrestrial networks’ by the end of this decade. With
could take to mitigate the interference risk. Additionally, an eye to the future, the watchdog has published a
it is also seeking stakeholders’ views on the format of discussion paper putting forwards its case for making
a potential auction, as well as the most appropriate lot changes at each stage of the spectrum management
sizes. With a deadline of 12 January 2024 set for input pipeline, including the allocations and technical studies
on the matter, Ofcom says the responses received will agreed at the ITU level. In this area, Ofcom has notably
help inform the development of any future proposals for said that, given the potential diversity of next-generation
how the 1492MHz-1517MHz spectrum should be made networks, uncertainty in how and where they will be
available. In a separate development, Ofcom has said used, and the need to continue to support existing
that it expects to see the introduction of 6G technology, uses, it considers that future spectrum management
a new version of Wi-Fi, and ‘increased connectivity from must place greater emphasis on spectrum sharing and
the sky and space through the deployment of non- flexible access. (October 19, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has previously faced setbacks in introducing smart
authorized the use of the 6GHz band for low power wearables, with Google abandoning plans to launch its
devices such as wearables, a move designed to spur smart glasses for example. In an emailed statement
development of new augmented and virtual reality seen by Bloomberg, VP of North America policy at Meta
United applications. In a statement, the agency expects the Platforms Kevin Martin said FCC’s decision will “allow
ruling will bring forward a more flexible ecosystem of
companies like ours to use new wireless technologies
States “cutting-edge applications” and allow wearables such to build the next wave of computing”. The 6GHz
as AR/VR glasses to operate alongside Wi-Fi-enabled band will offer a total of 850-megahertz of spectrum,
devices. US technology companies including Meta providing “very high connection speeds, which are ideal
Platforms, Google, Apple and Microsoft have lobbied for the types of high data rate cutting-edge applications
the FCC to expand the use of 6GHz band to ease the that will both enrich consumer experiences and bolster
development of metaverse-related gadgets, claiming the nation’s economy”, the FCC said. The authority also
access will support faster connectivity via tethering pointed to the potential in wearable sensors and IoT
and in turn enhance performance. Notably, big tech devices. (October 20, 2023) www.mobileworldlive.com

The Ministry of Digital Technologies (MDT) announced is advertising free porting to its MVNO network,
on 27 October 2023 the commercial launch of mobile apparently subsidizing the service. Same-day MNP
number portability (MNP), confirming that five operators processing is promised, with cellcos currently claiming
– Beeline, Ucell, Uzbektelecom, Mobiuz and the country’s on their websites waiting times of ‘a few minutes’
Uzbekistan sole MVNO, Humans – now provide number porting. or ‘up to ten minutes’. A number cannot be ported
again until 30 days have elapsed. The MDT (formerly
CDMA-based network operator Perfectum does not
offer the service. Initially, Uzbek mobile users must visit named the Ministry of Information Technologies &
a sales office of the destination network to port their Communications) drafted regulations on MNP nearly
number, with online-based MNP services expected to be five years ago in December 2018 before overseeing the
launched at a later date. MNP requires an identification implementation of the service in collaboration with the
document which has already been registered with ministry’s subordinate agency, the Republican Centre
the user’s number, and carries a standard user fee of for Management of Telecommunication Networks.
UZS60,000 (USD4.90), although one operator, Humans, (October 30, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Vietnamese government has issued Resolution By May 2023 the number of mobile money service
192/NQ-CP approving an extension of the country’s users reached more than 3.9 million. The State Bank of
mobile money pilot scheme until the end of 2024. The Vietnam, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information
trial, which permits the use of telecoms payments and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Public
Vietnam accounts for various transactions (including paying for Security, will now conduct a review and propose issuing
small value goods and services, as well as for money
regulations governing mobile money services by May
transfers, cash top-ups and money remittances), was 2024.
initially approved for a two-year period in March 2021. (November 22, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

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