Page 133 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has industry and to establish barriers to competition
commissioned a telecommunication market definition so as to promote a better business environment.
and assessment study to enhance competitiveness in the The idea is to minimize non-competitive practices,
industry and establish possible barriers to competition which potentially lead to higher prices and reduced
Uganda so as to foster a better business environment. During choices. The consultants presented to operators a
a stakeholder engagement meeting organized by UCC
framework and roadmap for implementing the data
at its head office in Bugolobi, telecommunication collection exercise and observed that the market has
operators were introduced to the team of consultants changed considerably, with enhanced digitalization
who will undertake this assignment. Tilil Technologies and many newer technologies. She further explained
Limited and Acacia Economics (PTY) Limited, a joint that the study is proactive and not reactive, meaning
consultancy, will conduct the telecommunications that it is not addressing any specific complaints. The
market definition and market power assessment whose consultants are seeking to understand the market and
key objective is to examine and evaluate competition through that establish what can be done to enhance
in the industry, as well as identify market participants, competitiveness. The study will cover all critical
their services and products. World over, regulators elements of telecommunication, including fixed lines,
engage in studies to inform regulatory interventions, mobile, broadband internet, tower markets, and other
including enhancement of competitiveness in the related services. (October 15, 2024) www.ucc.co.ug

Ukraine’s telecoms regulator said it raked in UAH2.8 Back in April, a consortium led by telecoms mogul Xavier
billion (US$67.7 million) during its spectrum auction, Niel’s NJJ Holding announced plans to purchase both
with Vodafone, Kyivstar and Lifecell buying five Ukrainian TV and fixed broadband provider Datagroup-
lots of spectrum in the 2100, 2300, and 2600-MHz Volia and mobile operator Lifecell, with the intention of
Ukraine bands. According to a statement from the National merging the two operators. The move would create the
Commission for State Regulation of Electronic
second largest converged operator in the country, with
Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum, and 10 million mobile customers and a fixed broadband
Postal Services (NCEC), Kyivstar bought two lots of network covering over 4 million homes. The promise
spectrum in the 1940-1945/2130-2135 MHz and 2355- of funding from the EBRD and the IFC was crucial in
2395 MHz bands, while Vodafone Ukraine also bought the planning of the acquisitions, with the details of
two lots in the 1945-1950/2135-2140 MHz and 2575- this funding still being finalized when the merger was
2610 MHz bands. Lifecell took the fifth lot for the 1935- concluded last month. “That is the game changer,” said
1940/2125-2130 MHz bands. Under the new licenses, Holger Muent, EBRD’s director of telecommunications,
which are good for 15 years, the operators will install media and technology, told Reuters. “It will create the
1,500 new base stations within two years, including second-largest operator of that kind in the country
500 in the first year, according to Ukrainian news site and that leads to higher speed, better coverage,
UNN. They are also tasked with rapid restoration of lower energy consumption for the network, and more
communications in de-occupied territories within six redundancy in the network as well.” The deal is seen as
months, as well as increasing mobile coverage on a major boon for the Ukrainian economy, ensuring the
national and international highways. In a statement, robust digital infrastructure is in place to support the
Kyivstar’s parent company Veon said the auction result nation” economic recovery. “By strengthening digital
boosts its total spectrum holding from 152 MHz to connectivity and network resilience, we are delivering a
202 MHz. Veon also said Kyivstar will invest UAH1.43 vital service to millions of Ukrainians while reaffirming
billion in the Ukrainian economy through the spectrum our commitment to the country,” said Makhtar Diop,
acquisition. IFC’s managing director. “It sends a strong message
(November 21, 2024) www.developingtelecoms.com to global investors about the resilience and significant
potential of Ukraine’s economy.” The newly merged
The European Bank for Reconstruction and telco, Lifecell-Datagroup-Volia Group, is set to be led
Development (EBRD) and the International Finance by Mykhaylo Shelemba, the current CEO of Datagroup-
Corporation (IFC) have confirmed they will jointly invest Volia.
$435 million into Ukraine’s newest converged telco. (October 10, 2024) www.totaltele.com

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