Page 142 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

it was determined that TOT partially completed the to complete the tasks required under the ToR [terms
mobile services contract, though the company used of reference], even after one year from the due date
the wrong fiber-optic specification for the broadband … The financial penalty has reached THB800 million.’
network scheme, which the committee deemed as Mr. Takorn said that the NBTC had no choice but to
‘unacceptable’. Further, TOT failed to complete the terminate the contracts to prevent further harm to the
construction of the agreed 371 buildings under the public interest, especially in remote areas; the executive
USO Net project, with only three finalized to-date. NBTC added that the NBTC will stage a new e-auction for the
secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said: ‘TOT failed three contracts ‘soon’. (October 7, 2019) The Bangkok Post

The National Information Technology Authority has significantly lowered internet bandwidth costs to
of Uganda (NITA-U) has defended itself against Ugandan individuals and organizations over the last
accusations that it is wasting public funds with its ten years.’ The body says that at the start of the project
rollout of a national backbone network. Recent press in 2008 the cost-per-Mbps was USD1,200 but that
Uganda reports have accused officials at the state-backed has now dropped to USD70-per-Mbps. According to a
body of corruption and of mismanaging the network
report from PML Daily, the agency adds that 3,000km
deployment. A statement from NITA-U responded of fiber-optic cable has already been deployed and a
by saying: ‘The originators of the false news are fourth phase of the rollout is underway.
obviously determined on downplaying Uganda’s (October 11, 2019) telegeography.com
progress in achieving widespread connectivity that

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) said (Amsterdam, Netherlands) which [holds in] excess of
in a statement that it has granted Azerbaijani mobile 50% of votes in the management company. This will
operator Bakcell permission to proceed with a potential allow the Azerbaijani company to acquire indirect
deal to buy the country’s second largest cellco control over [the] Ukrainian mobile operator known
Vodafone Ukraine, which is currently wholly owned under the brand Vodafone.’ Earlier this month the
Ukraine by Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) of Russia, itself part AMCU disclosed an approach regarding a possible bid
of the Sistema group. MTS owns Vodafone Ukraine for VF Ukraine from Bakcell (part of Azerbaijan-based
(registered as VF Ukraine) indirectly via a Netherlands- oil/construction/telecom/tech conglomerate Neqsol);
based holding company. The message on the AMCU site MTS commented that it was studying possibilities for
read: ‘Today, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine its international subsidiaries but no concrete deal was
has given permission to Bakcell LLC (Baku, Azerbaijan) yet on the table. (October 25, 2019) telegeography.com
for the indirect purchase of shares of Preludium BV

The UK’s Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan is reportedly need and deserve. Brokering an agreement for mast
supportive of a GBP530 million (USD680 million) sharing between networks alongside new investment
proposal from the UK’s mobile network operators in mobile infrastructure will mean people get good
(MNOs) for a shared rural network, with the potential 4G signal no matter where they are or which provider
United that the government would invest GBP500 million into they’re with. But it is not yet a done deal and I want
to see industry move quickly so we can reach a final
the project. In a press release regarding the matter, the
Kingdom Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) agreement early next year.’ (October 28, 2019) telegeography.com
said that the proposed deal with EE, O2 UK, Three UK
and Vodafone UK would see the quartet jointly invest The Minister for Digital & Broadband is writing to all
in a network of new and existing phone masts that they UK planning authorities to say they cannot withhold
would then all share, with this infrastructure providing permission without “legitimate grounds and evidence”.
coverage to 280,000 homes and businesses and In addition to Minister Matt Warman’s correspondence,
16,000km of roads. Commenting on the matter, Mrs. the government plans to do more to clarify messaging
Morgan said: ‘We are determined to make sure no part around 5G and bust health myths. The move follows
of the country is left behind when it comes to mobile several local authorities halting installation of masts
connectivity. We are closing in on a deal with the mobile after citizens have campaigns against siting 5G
network operators so those living in rural areas will be equipment at various locations on the grounds of
able to get the fast and reliable mobile coverage they health. Glastonbury’s town council opposed the

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