Page 107 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Four Ukrainian Cellcos, PM Sign Memorandum on Total Coverage

Ukrainian GSM/3G/LTE mobile network
operators Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and
Lifecell, alongside 3G CDMA operator
Intertelecom, have signed a memorandum
with Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk on
covering the entire territory of Ukraine with
high-quality, high speed communications
networks, Interfax reported. Mr.
Honcharuk declared: ‘I believe that the
total digitalization of the country will
begin with this document. Every corner of
our country should have affordable, high-
quality internet and communications. And
we, in the government, with the president
and with our partner companies will do
everything necessary for this.’ The new
government formed following July’s snap
election has promised to implement ‘total
digitalization’ of the country under a wider
goal of achieving 40% GDP growth over
five years.

Polish Telcos to Form 5G Joint Venture with Government

Three of Poland’s major operators have Polkomtel to set up a company to build availability of services 5G in selected
agreed to develop 5G networks with two national 5G infrastructure. The move comes bands, technology security and low service
state-owned companies to speed up roll- after Exatel called for Poland to form a prices thanks to synergies of common
out, according to a report from Reuters. consortium of private and state companies infrastructure,” PFR CEO Pawel Borys said
Poland’s state development fund PFR to develop 5G network infrastructure in on Twitter. Play Communications, Poland’s
and state-owned operator Exatel signed the 700MHz band in a bid to lower costs biggest operator by subscribers, didn’t sign
a Memorandum of Understanding with and improve security. “The goal of the up due to pending corporate approvals, a
Orange Polska, T-Mobile Polska and joint venture is to ensure nationwide spokesperson told Reuters.

Polish Government, Operators Unite on 5G

Three of Poland’s major operators signed a representative told Reuters it needs guidelines for companies supplying
an agreement to develop future 5G corporate approval for such a move. Exatel gear used to build networks. This
networks with two state-owned companies had advocated for the union of private immediately drew assumptions the move
in a bid to accelerate deployment of and state-owned companies to develop was part of a US campaign to persuade
the technology, Reuters reported. The and launch 5G networks in the 700MHz other governments to follow its lead by
memorandum of understanding was band, to accelerate delivery of key benefits banning the use of Huawei gear, following
inked with Poland’s state development including low-latency and faster download allegations the vendor is a national
fund PFR and state-owned operator speeds. PFR CEO Pawel Borys said on security threat. Huawei has long denied
Exatel, with the goal of establishing Twitter: “The goal of the joint venture is to such claims. In July, the vendor outlined
a company to build the country’s 5G ensure nationwide availability of services its commitment to the Polish market with
infrastructure. Although Orange Poland, 5G in selected bands, technology security plans to spend almost PLN3 billion ($778.5
T-Mobile Poland, and Polkomtel signed and low service prices thanks to synergies million) in the country over the next five
up, Play Communications, which GSMA of common infrastructure.” In September, years.
Intelligence data shows is the country’s the US and Poland agreed to strengthen
biggest operator by subscribers, did not: collaboration on 5G security, outlining

107 OCTOBER 2019