Page 137 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has initial expressions of interest to acquire one of the two
launched a further round of stakeholder consultations new mobile licenses. Contenders include MTN, Orange,
as it prepares for the planned liberalization of the Saudi Telecom Company, Etisalat and a consortium
country’s telecom markets. The regulator confirmed comprising Vodafone Group and its Africa-focused
Ethiopia the publication of four documents, specifically: affiliates. (September 25, 2020) Ethiopian News Agency
two draft directives, one related to mobile number
portability (MNP) and one related to wholesale national Ethiopia has reportedly set a new deadline of February
roaming; a draft framework for universal access and 2021 to complete the sale of two new mobile network
service; and one piece of draft regulation relating operator (MNO) licenses that will open up the country’s
to the universal access fund (UAF). As previously telecoms sector. Bloomberg reports that with the
reported by CommsUpdate, in August 2020 the ECA original timeline for the introduction of competition
published a number of telecom directive proposals, having been pushed back as a result of the COVID-19
covering matters ranging from interconnection to SIM pandemic, regulatory complexities and a delayed
registration and SMP determinations. In releasing the general election, the new timetable was confirmed
most recent publications, the regulator said that it was by Eyob Tekalign, Ethiopia’s state minister of finance.
grateful for the ‘helpful feedback’ it had received to Commenting on the plans to license new players,
date on previously-issued directives and noted that it as well as the plan to divest a stake in state-owned
is in the process of preparing its response. Meanwhile, incumbent Ethio Telecom, the minister said: ‘We have
with regards to the new consultations, the ECA has a February, January timeline for both processes … The
requested submissions be made by a 30 October 2020 reform is fully on track.’ Meanwhile, the report suggests
deadline. (October 13, 2020) commsupdate.com that France’s Orange Group is a strong candidate
to secure one of the new concessions that will be
Ethiopia’s authorities outlined plans to kick-off the offered, according to ‘people familiar with the matter’.
process for the sale of a 40 per cent stake in Ethio A spokesperson for Orange reiterated the company’s
Telecom next month and conclude it in early 2021, interest in the license, and said it was working on its
alongside issuing two new licenses. Citing comments proposal in this regard. With MTN Group highlighted as
made by the country’s Ministry of Finance, the news another notable potential bidder, a spokesperson for
agency said the 40 per cent stake would likely be sold the South Africa-based company said: ‘The Ethiopian
to international investors. A further 5 per cent is set to authorities have said that twelve directives will be
be offered to Ethiopian nationals at a later date. The issued that will enable us to put together a business
state will retain the rest. It plans to issue an investment case and an investment case … This is still work in
prospectus and invitation to bid next month with progress and we have not yet made any decision on the
the process expected to conclude in February 2021, opportunity.’ Finally, with regards to the sale of a stake
matching the timeline for allocating two highly sought- in Ethio Telecom, this process is reportedly proving
after new mobile operator licenses. Privatization of harder for the authorities, in part related to the size of
Ethiopia’s telecommunications market has been in the the stake – 40% – that is to be offered to international
works since 2018 and had been slated for this year, investors. Deloitte LLP, which is advising the Ethiopian
before the process was delayed by issues related to government on the partial privatization, had not
the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The Ethiopian responded to Bloomberg’s request for comment on this
Communications Authority announced it received 12 matter, however. (September 11, 2020) commsupdate.com

ARCEP has launched a public consultation on the Further, Arcep highlighted that parts of the 3.4GHz-
terms and conditions for the allocation of 5G spectrum 3.8GHz band are currently used in the overseas
in the 700MHz and 3.4GHz-3.8GHz frequency bands territories for the provision of fixed broadband access:
in Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Guadeloupe and Martinique (Canal+ Telecom [expiring
France Saint-Martin and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The in December 2020] and Outremer Telecom [December
regulator highlighted that it has identified the following
2021]); French Guiana (Guyacom [July 2026] and
ranges for 5G use: Canal+ Telecom [December 2020]); St Barthelemy
• 703MHz-733MHz/758MHz/788MHz (FDD mode) (Collectivite de Saint Barthelemy [December 2020]);
• 3.4GHz-3.8GHz (TDD mode) Saint-Martin (Dauphin Telecom [December 2021] and
• 24.25GHz-27.50GHz (TDD mode) Orange Caraibe [December 2021]); and Saint-Pierre
Regarding the 700MHz band, Arcep disclosed that and Miquelon (Orange [February 2026]). All interested
it could award only 20MHz in the 700MHz band parties are invited to send their contributions before 18
(703MHz-723MHz/758MHz-778MHz) in Saint-Martin December 2020.
and Saint Barthelemy due to interference issues. (October 7, 2020) commsupdate.com

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