Page 134 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

licenses in the 800MHz band issued to Orange, Moldcell frequency band is a strategic asset, as it allows the
and Moldtelecom in November 2014, thus freeing provision of broadband data services in the high-
spectrum in the band for IDC. Orange and Moldcell speed and low-cost extended territories.’ According to
have objected to the plans, highlighting that a decision them, if such a deal has to be enforced, ‘this can only
to extend a license to IDC will redefine their operating be achieved by an agreement between the government
rights. The two operators said: ‘Based on these licenses, and Orange and Moldcell concluded on commercial
the operators have built 4G networks that cover most principles, against an adequate compensation for both
of the territory and population of Transnistria, serving the investments already made and the incomes that
this territory and the adjacent areas, which include they would have [made from] the exploitation of these
over one hundred thousand customers. The 800MHz frequencies.’ (October 9, 2019) The Mold Street

Deputy Minister of Information and Communication The Executive Director of the Ministry of Information
Technology Engel Nawatiseb has stated that the and Communications Technology, has revealed the
Namibian government aims to achieve 95% broadband government has initiated a review of the country’s
coverage by 2024. Tabling a new broadband policy communications laws and ICT policies in order to
and implementation plan in the National Assembly, Mr. address current deficiencies and align legislation with
Namibia Nawatiseb explained the policy will provide incentives emerging trends in the sector. ‘The Communications
for further innovation and investment. ‘High-speed Act No. 8 of 2009 and ICT policies have over time
internet access or broadband is critical to economic become outdated and obsolete. As a result most
opportunities, job creation, education, and civic ICT sub-sectors are experiencing legal hitches in
engagement. But there are too many parts of this implementing and enforcing some provisions in the
country where broadband is unavailable in both urban Act or provisions in their respective legal instruments
and rural areas,’ he stressed. The Broadband Policy, because the Act is not aligned with certain provisions
which defines broadband as a high-speed internet in the sub-sector policies, regulations, and guidelines,’
connection offering a minimum download speed of he said.
2Mbps, will span 2019 to 2029 while the associated (October 11, 2019) News Ghana
Implementation Action Plan covers the period 2019 to
2024. (October 15, 2019) New Era

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has Other nations, the UK for example, seem to be taking a
proposed plans to create a network infrastructure ‘build now, regulate later’ approach, which runs the risk
sharing framework to counteract any potential for a of creating the digital divide as telcos chase profits and
digital divide. With the plans intended to be released an overbuild situation in the highly urbanized areas. As
The before the next spectrum auction in 2020, the with anything in life, it is much easier to plan to tackle
a problem as opposed to fixing after it has emerged.
regulator is putting in the groundwork ahead of time
Netherlands to theoretically ease the investment burdens of 5G As part of the ‘slow and steady’ approach to network
network infrastructure in the rural environments. Telcos deployment, coverage obligations will be placed on
generally don’t like to be told how to spend their money, any future spectrum auctions. 98% of the Netherlands
but the ACM is taking appropriate, proactive steps to geographic area will have to be covered by a certain
prevent the digital divide which tends to emerge when time, though more details will emerge over the coming
telcos are left to their own devices. “We regularly months as the auctions close in. 98% might sound
receive questions about what is and what is not allowed like a ludicrous objective, though the network sharing
with regard to infrastructure sharing,” said Henk Don, framework should aid this. These are just very top-
an ACM board member. “Working together in this can line ideas which are being presented by the ACM here,
bring many benefits to telecom companies, but this though more details will be offered over the short-term.
should not be at the expense of mutual competition. Ahead of 2020, plans are being ironed out for spectrum
With the guidelines we want to offer clarity to the auctions for the 700 MHz, 1400 MHz and 2100 MHz
parties on the mobile market and thereby contribute to 5G bands, while the valuable 3.5 GHz 5G auction
a smooth rollout of 5G.” Although the 5G rollout in the should take place at the end of 2021 or beginning of
Netherlands is progressing at a much slower rate than 2022. The ACM has suggested the proposals will be in
other countries in the bloc, the pondering approach place to ahead of next year’s auction. Network sharing
is allowing bureaucrats to create the necessary frameworks are not exactly uncommon throughout
regulatory and legislative landscape ahead of time. the telco world, though many regulators err on the

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