Page 145 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

proper implementation of a digital economy, and new The regulator created a new arm within itself called the
strategies, Daily Post reported. The CEO also stated Digital Economy Department, in a bid to spur Nigeria’s
there will be a focus on boosting consumer confidence digital economy with new initiatives, and better
by investigating “unwholesome practices” from certain leverage connectivity in the country. “The Commission
service providers to safeguard consumer rights, is placing emphasis on growing the digital economy in
and plan to reduce the cost of mobile data steadily collaboration with sister agencies under the Federal
from the current rate of 800 Naira ($2.07) per gigabit Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy”,
to 390 Naira ($1.01). On the country’s broadband, Daily Post reported. In May, the NCC denied reports
Danbatta said the regulator aimed for a 70 per cent claiming 5G networks were up and running in Nigeria,
broadband penetration rate, connecting 90 per cent stating licenses for were yet to be issued then.
of the population by 2025, putting it in line with new (September 7, 2020) commsupdate.com
targets from the Nigerian National Broadband Plan.

Norwegian communications regulator NKOM and water key reason for the increase. Moreover, the regulator
resources and energy directorate NVE are seeking also confirmed that 88% of premises had access
comments by 20 November concerning guidelines for to downlink rates of 500Mbps or more, compared
use of telecoms and wind power generation. NKOM to 83% at mid-2019. At the other end of the scale, in
Norway said in some cases, wind turbines can affect and terms of lower-level speeds the NKOM said that 98%
of households had access to a connection offering at
disrupt communication services. The guidelines will
be finalized and published after the hearing. The two least 30Mbps downstream by 30 June 2020, up from
agencies propose that telecoms operators should be 89% twelve months previously. According to NKOM, the
involved in the wind power infrastructure concession notable improvement in access for such speeds was
process as early as possible. The consultation also due mainly to the introduction of new offers from both
concerns measures to remedy any disruption or Telenor Norge and Telia Norge, both of which market
interference. The guidelines will apply to infrastructure fixed-wireless broadband services.
that is already established, whose construction has (October 7, 2020) commsupdate.com
begun, and which is still at the planning stage. They
will safeguard telecoms networks that were already The National Communications Authority (Nkom)
set up before there was a recognized, detailed plan for has confirmed new obligations for Telenor Norge
wind power. NKOM referred to safeguarding frequency in the broadband market. Having sent two draft
permits. Telecom network development taking place decisions related to the regulation of telcos to the
after detailed plans for wind power have been approved, EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) in July 2020, the
must adapt to the wind power, regardless of whether regulator has now announced that the ESA raised no
this is expansion of existing telecoms infrastructure or objections to its proposals. As such, under Nkom’s
a new network. newly published regulatory decisions, Telenor will
(October 11, 2020) telecompaper.com be required to maintain wholesale access to its
copper network for a further five years from the date
The National Communications Authority (Nasjonal of the final ruling (2 September), while it will also be
kommunikasjonsmyndighet, NKOM) has published its compelled to offer wholesale customers access to
latest annual broadband survey, reporting that 74% of its fixed-wireless broadband infrastructure. In line
households had access to fiber broadband as of 30 June with its previous indications, meanwhile, the regulator
2020. In particular, the regulator highlighted improved has confirmed that its ruling does allow for a faster
access to fiber-based technology in sparsely populated shutdown of Telenor’s copper network. To that end,
areas, noting that 55% of residential households in rural the Nkom notes that if the telco can offer its wholesale
regions can now access such connectivity, up from customers relevant replacement products for copper-
45% at mid-2019. By comparison, it said that 78% of based access, it may then draw up a plan for migration
premises in more densely populated areas had access for copper to fibre/mobile infrastructure. Should it
to fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology at mid-2020. choose to do so, Telenor would need to accept input
In terms of speeds, meanwhile, the NKOM said that 89% from its wholesale customers on any such plan, before
of Norway’s premises could access download speeds then seeking final approval from the Nkom for this.
of 100Mbps or more as of end-June 2020, up from 85% (September 4, 2020) commsupdate.com
a year earlier, citing the improved access to fiber as a

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