Page 128 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

WHOLESALE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Canadian Operators Agree to Emergency Roaming and Mutual Assistance

Commitments

Major Canadian telecoms network operators have signed a ones, access 911, and conduct business transactions. As part
Memorandum of Understanding on Telecommunications Reliability of this agreement, the companies also commit to providing clear
‘to ensure the reliability and resiliency of communications networks and timely communications to keep Canadians and appropriate
that are a significant lifeline for those in need during natural authorities informed about response and restoration during major
disasters, network failures and other impactful emergencies.’ network outages.’ A series of additional steps are being worked on,
The action was ordered by Minister of Innovation, Science and including: The Canadian Security Telecommunications Advisory
Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne in response to a massive Committee (CSTAC) is examining further measures (within
outage on the Rogers network in July. Participating companies six months) to ensure robust and reliable telecommunications
– Rogers, Bell, Telus, Eastlink, Cogeco, SaskTel, Shaw (including networks across the country. The Canadian Radio-television and
Freedom Mobile), Tbaytel, Telesat, Videotron, Xplornet and Zayo Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is pursuing a detailed
– agreed to three main Protocols: Emergency Roaming; Mutual investigation of Rogers’ recent outage, including new measures
Assistance; and the Emergency Network Outage Communications the latter is putting in place. Innovation, Science & Economic
Protocol. The Minister noted that, from 9 September: ‘Should Development Canada (ISED) is reviewing appropriate regulatory
one of these providers be faced with a major network outage, measures to be implemented aimed at strengthening the reliability
the other companies have committed to provide the support and safety of networks. Work on a Public Safety Broadband
and assistance necessary so that Canadians can reach loved Network is also progressing.

Ukraine Will Join EU Roaming Zone

a move which would allow travelers between Ukraine and the EU
to access voice, text and mobile data services without additional
charges. As reported by AA.com.tr, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys
Shmyhal announced: ‘We signed the Digital Europe Program with a
total budget of EUR7.5 billion [USD7.45 billion] that includes some
very important digital technologies and also joining the roaming
space in the EU.’ EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi
stated: ‘We are exploring now sound options for associating
Ukraine fully in our roaming area to enjoy the same lowered tariffs
Ukraine aims to join the European free mobile network roaming between Ukraine and the EU’, adding that if Ukraine’s telecoms
zone via a digital cooperation agreement signed this week at the market integrates with the EU it would be of benefit ‘not only for
eighth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels, the markets but for the people to be able to maintain contact’.

Algar Given Roaming Deadline

Brazil regional operator Algar Telecom has been given 30 days has violated competition rules by providing ‘permanent roaming’
to negotiate a new roaming contract with Claro to support the for IoT/M2M services in regions where it has not been licensed to
provision of IoT connectivity. It was recently established that Algar operate.

Free Mobile and Orange Extend Roaming Deal for Three Years

France’s Authority of Regulation for Electronic Communications and and 3G roaming deal was signed in 2011 and is set to expire on 31
Posts (Autorite de Regulation des Communications Electroniques December this year. The regulator has now approved an extension
et des Postes, Arcep) has agreed to an extension of the national to 31 December 2025.
roaming agreement between Free Mobile and Orange. Their 2G

128 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022