Page 143 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

functions of LIBTELCO to become a GSM operator. The note that LIBTELCO’s prospects of making inroads
report noted that the amendment effectively expanded in the domestic mobile market are slim at best.
the telco’s functions and role as a ‘revenue operator, to Whilst it is clear the government is making efforts to
contribute towards the national budget’. The committee resuscitate LIBTELCO – largely neglected since its
had concluded: ‘The amendment of those provisions failed privatization bid back in 2005 – stepping into
of the Telecommunications Act of 2007 as cited the mobile market as a direct competitor to Lonestar
herein will enable the Government-owned Corporation Cell-MTN and Orange Liberia could be ill-judged. A
‘LIBTELCO’ to provide world-class telecommunications former executive at the state-owned telco, who asked
products and services at cheaper, affordable prices for to remain anonymous, was cited as saying that if it
all Liberians that will enable growth of various sectors, proceeds on this track ‘it would be prudent … to carve
such as education, healthcare, banking, energy and out a highly strategic and high-demand niche, where it
serving the masses, at large, for a sustainable economic can cultivate growth and not get slaughtered’.
growth of our society.’ However, despite some heralding (October 18, 2020) commsupdate.com
a ‘new dawn of the telecommunications sector’, others

The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has services, specific measures for vulnerable users,
opened consultations into the provision of universal special tariffs for low income and people with social
services and the designation of broadband as a needs, and services to enable consumers to control
universal service. The regulator says the consultation their expenditure. The regulator intends to expand the

Malta aims to examine the scope of the universal service, in universal service obligations to specify the ‘minimum
particular in relation to the obligations to be met by the
functional characteristics of an adequate broadband
designated undertaking. The current universal services internet access service’. The MCA recently revealed
commitments include the provision of connection that incumbent fixed line provider GO had claimed
at a fixed location and functional internet access, EUR66,438 (USD79,216) to cover the provision of
public payphones, comprehensive electronic directory universal services in 2016. (September 1, 2020) commsupdate.com

The government has finally awarded three provisional million (USD13.2 million) plus 2.5% annual 4G turnover
4G licenses following several failed attempts to offload and its two rivals submitting bids of MRU500 million
concessions going back to 2018. Incumbent cellcos plus 2.5% of annual 4G turnover. The trio were given 15
Mauritel, Chinguitel and Mattel have agreed to acquire days to pay the fixed part of the license cost.
Mauritania nationwide licenses, with Mattel offering MRU501 (October 5, 2020) commsupdate.com

The Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) process, the IFT is keen to gauge responses regarding
has initiated a public consultation regarding its coverage obligations and participation incentives, as it
planned auction of spectrum in the 800MHz, AWS seeks to ‘promote greater competition and encourage
(1700MHz/2100MHz), PCS (1900MHz) and 2.5GHz the existence of a greater number of service providers.’
Mexico bands. In total, the watchdog intends to auction 41 The consultation will run until 23 September.
spectrum blocks, although 37 of these are regional (September 2, 2020) commsupdate.com
800MHz concessions. During the consultation

Telecoms watchdog the Agency for Electronic block (26.5GHz-27.5GHz), are expected to be made
Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) will available for auction in the fourth quarter of 2021, with
call an auction in the fourth quarter of 2021 to appropriate approvals granted at the end of the year or
allocate 5G-suitable mobile spectrum. According to the beginning of 2022. In response to public concerns
Montenegro information contained in the body’s draft annual plan surrounding electromagnetic radiation, EKIP will also
for 2021, which was submitted for parliamentary determine the conditions under which the installation
approval late last month, all resources from the of a 5G base station at a planned location will not be
694MHz-790MHz and 3400MHz-3800MHz bands, as possible. (October 6, 2020) SeeNews
well as 1GHz of spectrum in the 24.25GHz-27.5GHz

143 SEP-OCT 2020