Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

confirmed recently that only 1,000 subscribers had in July this year, Manuel had predicted that one million
taken advantage of the new regime – in the long term, Filipinos would switch networks in the launch phase.
she is confident that users will get on board. Previously, (October 24, 2021) commsupdate.com

The National Communications Authority (Autoridade Nos spearheaded the bidding, agreeing to pay EUR165.1
Nacional de Comunicacoes, ANACOM) has confirmed million for a combination of 700MHz, 900MHz, 2100MHz
that its multi-band 5G spectrum auction – which and 3.6GHz spectrum. Next in line was Vodafone
commenced on 14 January – has finally concluded, (EUR133.2 million; 700MHz/3.6GHz), followed by
Portugal after 1,727 rounds of bidding. The process generated a MEO (EUR125.2 million; 700MHz/900MHz/3.6GHz). In
total of EUR566.8 million (USD657.6 million). Alongside terms of the ‘new’ bidders, Nowo bid EUR70.2 million
incumbent mobile operators PT Portugal (MEO), Nos for 1800MHz, 2.6GHz and 3.6GHz spectrum, while
and Vodafone Portugal, the auction also saw bidding Dixarobil offered EUR67.3 million for spectrum in the
activity from Grupo MASMOVIL-backed cableco Nowo, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2.6GHz and 3.6GHz bands. Finally,
mobile network densification specialist Dense Air and Dense Air committed to pay EUR5.8 million for 3.6GHz
the previously unknown Dixarobil, which is understood frequencies.
to be affiliated with Romania’s Digi Communications. (October 28, 2021) commsupdate.com

The National Authority for Management and 5 April 2029, EUR3.5 million per block; and 18 lots of
Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) has launched 5MHz TDD blocks in the 3.5GHz (3400MHz-3490MHz)
the competitive selection procedure for the auction band, expiry 31 December 2025, EUR700,000 per block.
of short-term spectrum licenses for unused mobile In terms of coverage obligations, 800MHz licensees
Romania frequencies in the 800MHz, 2600MHz and 3.5GHz will need to cover 95% of the population of 56 specified
bands. The tender is expected to raise at least EUR72.5
localities with mobile broadband download speeds of
million (USD83.9 million). ANCOM intends to auction a at least 2Mbps by end-2023, while rights holders in the
total of 195MHz of frequencies, with user rights valid 3.5GHz band must deploy 25 base transceiver stations
from 1 January 2022 and expiry aligned with existing (BTS) within a year of entry into force of the license,
permits in the bands, as follows: one block of 2×5MHz rising to 50 BTS after two years and 100 after three
in the 800MHz band (791MHz-796MHz/832MHz- years and six months. Interested parties are invited
837MHz), valid between 1 January 2022 and 5 April to submit applications before 15 November. The
2029 and with a starting price of EUR22 million; eight regulator expects to announce the qualified bidders
lots of 2×5MHz in the 2600MHz band (2530MHz- by 17 November, enabling the auction to begin no later
2570MHz/2650MHz-2690MHz), valid until 5 April 2029, than 25 November, the final results to be announced in
EUR4.3 million per paired block; one block of 15MHz December and permits granted by the end of the year.
TDD in the 2600MHz band (2600MHz-2615MHz), expiry (October 12, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (Post & 2025 so that all the spectrum can be allocated in a
Telestyrelsen, PTS) has announced plans to auction single process. A market consultation is being planned
licenses in the 900MHz, 2100MHz and 2.6GHz bands for February-March 2022.
in the third quarter of 2023. The expiry dates of existing (October 26, 2021) commsupdate.com
Sweden licenses in those bands have been harmonized at end-

The Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory ‘Portability will offer consumers the possibility of
Authority (ARCEP) of Togo has launched a public changing operator, while keeping their number with
consultation on plans to introduce mobile number their original operator, in the event of dissatisfaction
portability (MNP) in the country. The consultation runs with the quality of service or to benefit from better
Togo until 3 November 2021 and forms part of ARCEP’s offers and prices available from the competitor. In this
preparations to increase competition in a market sense, it constitutes a real lever of competition to boost
dominated by two players – Togocom and Moov the market.’
Africa Togo. In a statement the regulator confirmed: (October 24, 2021) commsupdate.com

102 OCTOBER 2021