Page 139 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Romania’s Minister of Communications, Transport the Connect Europe and Competitiveness Operational
and Infrastructure, Lucian Bode, has informed a Programs. (October 24, 2019) mediafax.ro
parliamentary committee that the country’s 5G
spectrum auction will not proceed as planned in The Ministry of Communications & Information Society
Romania 2019. Romania’s National Authority for Management (MCSI) has announced the completion of Lot 5 of the
‘Ro-Net’ project to extend broadband infrastructure
and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) had
previously indicated that it expected 5G licenses in the in disadvantaged areas. Lot 5 is the second of seven
700MHz, 800MHz, 1500MHz, 2600MHz and 3400MHz- sections to be completed following Lot 1 in May
3800MHz frequency bands to be awarded by the end this year and includes a total of 96 locations in the
of 2019. However, the body’s vice president, Eduard counties of Dolj (30), Valcea (38), Mehedinti (26) and
Lovin, recently warned that legislation to set frequency Gorj (2), consisting of 20,747 households and about
prices at an appropriate level was still required before 55,457 potential customers for internet, television and
the auction, which is expected to raise EUR500 million landline services. Once completed, the infrastructure is
(USD560 million), could proceed. (October 31, 2019) Economica opened up to any operator wishing to provide services.
Construction of the RON377.83 million (USD87.63
The National Authority for Management and Regulation million) national ‘Ro-Net’ broadband network, which
in Communications (ANCOM) has launched a new is co-financed by the European Regional Development
online map showing 2G, 3G and 4G coverage and signal Fund, began in August 2014 and was originally expected
strength across the country. The application, which can to be finished by the end of 2015. However, following a
be viewed at www.aisemnal.ro, has been compiled using series of disputes and delays, work is now expected to
field measurements collected during the regulator’s be completed in late 2019. (October 14, 2019) telegeography.com
own monitoring campaign and enables users to view
the network footprint of the four mobile operators in The Senate and a government commission have
the Romanian market, namely Vodafone Romania, removed provisions from a draft government emergency
Orange Romania, Telekom Romania and RCS&DCS ordinance issued in August that would have required
(Digi Mobil). Local news site cites Communications customers buying a pre-paid SIM card to present their
Minister Alexandru Petrescu as noting that there is a ID card from 1 January 2020, reports Profit.ro. The
digital divide in rural areas, as 4G networks currently decision follows a warning from the ombudsman that
cover only 77% of the country, well below the European there was no justification for rushing through such a
average of 92%. He expects the new digital platform requirement, which it believes would ‘drastically limit’
will help attract EU infrastructure funding through the right to privacy. (October 3, 2019) telegeography.com

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has Russian Ministry of Communications has begun
opposed the planned allocation of 2.3GHz-2.4GHz lowering its prices for 5G spectrum. A new draft
frequencies in 83 regions to Rostelecom under the methodology for 5G pricing has been introduced. It
‘Digital Economy’ national program, arguing that the is expected that the starting price for one a lot of 200
Russia spectrum should instead be put up for auction to MHz in the 25.25-27.5 GHz band will be reduced from
RUB 2.3 billion to RUB 670 million. The draft document
raise ‘billions of rubles’. Rostelecom intends to use
the wireless broadband spectrum to connect schools, has been drawn up in preparation for an auction of the
state bodies, territorial election commissions, medical 25.25-27.5 GHz bands, which state radio frequencies
facilities, fire and police stations, facilities of the commission SRFC is expected to announce in
Russian Guard and other locations, under a program December. (October 11, 2019) Cnews.ru
to connect around 100,000 ‘socially significant’
entities by the end of 2020. The State Commission for The state-backed national telco Rostelecom’s plan
Radio Frequencies (SCRF) plans to issue the 2.3GHz- to up its stake in mobile operator Tele2 Russia from
2.4GHz LTE spectrum for ten years to Rostelecom 45% to 100% has been approved by a decree signed
in 83 regions, while in Russian-occupied Crimea, a by President Vladimir Putin. The decree accepts ‘the
similar ten-year concession is earmarked for internet proposal of the Government of the Russian Federation
provider Miranda-Media. The FAS argues that the ten- to increase the participation share of Rostelecom and
year concession period is excessive as the government its subsidiary Mobitel in the authorized capital of T2
contract to connect socially significant facilities only RTK Holding [Tele2] to 100%.’ The government approved
runs to end-2020. The antitrust authority also deems a plan to raise Rostelecom’s Tele2 stake in June this
the bandwidth allocation excessively wide. (October 18, year. Russia’s VTB bank is currently the second largest
2019) ComNews shareholder in Tele2 Russia with 27.5%, while Invintel

139 OCTOBER 2019