Page 93 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Turkey

State-owned Turkey Wealth Fund (TWF) is considering a majority Garanti Bankasi (Garanti Bank) and Turkiye Is Bankasi (Isbank)
takeover of fixed and mobile operator Turk Telekom (TT), following a debt restructuring deal completed on 22 December
according to unnamed people with knowledge of the matter cited 2018. The banking group acquired the controlling TT stake from
by Bloomberg. The sources said that the sovereign fund has yet Ojer Telekomunikasyon AS (OTAS), the local holding company of
to make a formal offer to TT’s controlling banking consortium, Dubai-based consortium Oger Telecom, in exchange for cancelling
which acquired the ownership in a 2018 debt-swap with the debts. In September 2019 the group selected Morgan Stanley as
intention to sell to a strategic investor. The stake could be worth financial adviser for a planned share sale to a strategic investor.
around USD1.6 billion based on its current market price, according The Turkish Treasury retains a 25% TT stake plus special veto
to data compiled by Bloomberg, but the sources said that the power via one ‘golden share’, while 15% of shares are classed as
two sides have so far differed on price. Bloomberg adds that free float on the Borsa Istanbul (BIST). GCD adds that TWF owns
international strategic investors from the Gulf region and China a controlling 26.2% direct stake in Turkey’s mobile market leader
had previously shown interest in the TT stake but were reportedly Turkcell (acquired in October 2020) alongside 100% ownership of
deterred by concerns regarding the 2026 expiry date of the telco’s satellite/telecoms group Turksat, which was the country’s third
fixed line license. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database (GCD) largest fixed broadband operator as at end-June 2021, behind TT
says that TWF is currently allocated a 5% stake in TT, which is and Turkcell’s Superonline division. TWF’s wider asset portfolio
55%-owned by LYY Telekomunikasyon, a Special Purpose Vehicle spans eight sectors, valued at USD39 billion.
(SPV) formed by a group of 29 banks led by Akbank, Turkiye (October 1, 2021) commsupdate.com

United Arab Emirates

The UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government used in terrestrial television broadcasts, the future of this band
Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has released a public consultation in light of the changing habits of viewing terrestrial television
to obtain the views of stakeholders on its activities related broadcasts in the UAE, and the need to review the use of this
to reviewing spectrum allocation for IMT applications. The spectrum effectively. It also addressed long-term options for its
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory use through new wireless technologies. The consultation also
Authority (TDRA) has released a public consultation to obtain included points of discussion and consultation on the 3800-
the views of stakeholders on its activities related to reviewing 4200 MHz band, which is mainly used in fixed satellite services
spectrum allocation for IMT applications in certain frequency in certain geographical areas of UAE and on certain frequencies
bands, namely the UHF and 3.8 - 4.2 GHz bands and the 6 GHz within the band. The consultation confirmed that based on the
band. Based on the cooperation with stakeholders, consultation recent discussions in the Arab Spectrum Management Group
results and response analysis, TDRA will update the part on (ASMG) meeting, the 3.8 GHz to 4.2 GHz band is a potential band
the current and future uses of IMT within the Spectrum Future for possible new innovative applications, given the potential
Foresight document of 2020-2025, and develop a vision on of this range to be used more effectively considering existing
UAE’s directions regarding the uses of these bands. Tariq Al services. This consultation opened the door for stakeholders to
Awadhi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs said: “In line discuss any
with TDRA’s vision ‘The UAE is a global leading country in ICT’, additional problems related to spectrum resources, by presenting
TDRA continues its efforts to align spectrum allocation with their views in addition to recommendations on how to solve these
market needs on a proactive basis. “For this purpose, TDRA has problems. (October 6, 2021) TradeArabia News Service
prepared this consultation to invite ICT stakeholders globally in
general, and the UAE in particular, to provide their views on the The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory
allocation of some key frequency bands in light of the increasing Authority (TDRA) announced that the 2G (GSM) shutdown process
demand for innovative wireless services such as 5G and WiFi6e, of in the UAE is proceeding according to the plan set by TDRA. The
with the aim of facilitating obtaining the appropriate spectrum shutdown of 2G networks, also known as “GSM”, in the networks
resources for wireless networks, maintaining sustainable and of service providers (Etisalat and du) is scheduled for the end
continuous growth and developing the use of new wireless of 2022. The sale of devices supporting 2G only will be stopped
services.” Al Awadhi highlighted that this consultation falls under in June 2022 in the UAE markets. TDRA confirmed that the aim
TDRA’s efforts to implement the principles of transparency, of this process is to re-direct the resources allocated to 2G to
fairness and openness in dealing with customers, partners and support new generations of mobile networks. TDRA is currently
other stakeholders. The consultation posed a set of specialized working, in cooperation with service providers, to provide the
questions about the 470-694 MHz band, which was previously best services by building modern and advanced networks that

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