Page 165 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority territories, PTI Pacifica (trading as IT&E), which
(ASTCA) acquired a total of 15 licenses in Auction 108 – operates in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) sale paid a total of USD17.690 million for nine licenses, while
of unused spectrum in the 2496MHz-2690MHz (2.5GHz Guam-based TeleGuam Holdings (trading as GTA) paid
American band). The telco paid USD970,750 for the concessions, USD16.565 million for three licenses. Finally, DOCOMO
Samoa which span five counties. As per FCC paperwork, Pacific, which operates in both Guam and the NMI, bid
ASTCA’s chief rival American Samoa Telecom (BlueSky) USD1.260 million for three licenses.
was also a qualified bidder for Auction 108, but came (September 6, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
away empty-handed. Elsewhere in the US overseas

The President Joao Lourenco has issued a decision to seize control of Vidatel’s bank accounts and remove
finalizing the transfer of ownership stakes in mobile dos Santos’ voting and dividend rights at Unitel.
market leader Unitel from private companies Vidatel The database also confirms: the 25% share in Unitel
and Geni to the State. The nationalization of the two held by Geni – fronted by Angola’s Leopoldino do
Angola shareholdings – representing 25% equity each – Nascimento (‘General Dino’, a close associate of former
effectively raises the Angolan State’s Unitel ownership president dos Santos) – was seized in January 2022
to 100%, the Brazilian telco Oi completed the sale of a by the National Asset Recovery Service (related to a
25% stake in Unitel to Sonangol in a USD1 billion deal criminal process initiated by the National Directorate
in January 2020, raising the Angolan state-run oil firm’s of Investigation & Criminal Action under the Attorney
effective share to 50%, due to it already owning 25% via General’s Office), and transferred to a trustee, the State
its subsidiary Mercury Telecom (MSTelcom). Vidatel Assets & Participations Management Institute (Instituto
(registered in the British Virgin Islands [BVI]) is owned de Gestao de Activos e Participacoes do Estado,
by Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos – daughter of IGAPE). Under a presidential decree of 5 August 2019,
former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos – but on 30 the Angolan state intends to sell direct/indirect stakes
December 2019 the Provincial Court of Luanda ordered in Unitel as part of the country’s 2019-2022 privatization
an asset freeze on her shares, and in December 2020 program.
the BVI Supreme Court ordered judicial administrators (October 31, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

Argentina will stage a 5G spectrum auction in February published a list of frequencies that it deemed suitable
2023, as the inflation-wracked country attempts to for future 5G use. It included the following spectrum:
boost government coffers. The date was revealed • 1427MHz-1518MHz (1500MHz band)
by Minister of Economy Sergio Massa, alongside a • 1770MHz-1780MHz/2170MHz-2200MHz (AWS-3
Argentina number of other advances that are slated for inclusion band)
in the government’s 2023 budget bill. Mr. Massa told the • 2300MHz-2400MHz (2.3GHz band)
Chamber of Deputies: ‘In February Argentina puts out • 3300MHz-3600MHz (3.5GHz band)
the 5G tender and that tender will generate a volume of • 24.25GHz-25.75GHz (26GHz band)
investment in the telecommunications sector.’ Previously, • 37GHz-43.5GHz (38GHz band)
on 23 December 2021 the National Communications (September 30, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
Agency (Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones, ENACOM)

In the wake of last month’s high-profile data breach the ACMA said it plans to examine the data breach in
which impacted Optus, the Australian Communications regards to Optus’ obligations as a telecoms service
and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced it has provider; specifically in relation to the acquisition,
now commenced a formal investigation into the authentication, retention, disposal and protection of
Australia matter. In a press release confirming the investigation, personal information, and requirements to provide

165 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022