Page 169 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Agency for Regulation and Control of Telecoms and in an interview with media outlet Iwacu, Jean-Marie
(Agence de Regulation et de Controle des Lacroix, commercial director of Smart, argued that the
Telecommunications, ARCT) in Burundi has reportedly decision to close the cellco was politically motivated
shut down mobile network operator (MNO) Smart as it benefits one of its competitors, Lumitel – which
Burundi Burundi over its failure to settle its tax arrears and the is owned by Vietnamese Army-backed Viettel and
expiration of its operating license on 27 July. The ARCT which is ‘suspected of harboring some members of
requested Smart to cease all operations on 18 August the regime within its shareholding’. Nevertheless, the
at which point it reputedly owed around USD3.2 million ARCT upholds that the measures are appropriate, with
in arrears. Further, the regulator noted that whilst Smart Director General Samuel Muhizi also adding that even if
had filed to have its license renewed in March this year, it resolves its financial situation, Smart Burundi may not
its failure ‘to provide the certificate of non-accountability be able to continue to operate. ‘Renewing your operating
requested by the Burundian Revenue Office which must license after the network has closed is a real obstacle
confirm that the telecom company owes nothing to the course. The presidency gets involved since this requires
Draft
tax authorities’ meant that its concession subsequently a presidential decree, among other things,’ he is quoted
lapsed. The beleaguered company has hit back, however, as saying. (September 6, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications sessions of MVNO subscribers do not drop when they
Commission (CRTC) has issued decisions on the terms move between coverage zones and that MVNO access
and conditions for MVNO access to the networks of is offered on current and future wireless networks,
Canada national infrastructure-based mobile operators Rogers, including 5G. The CRTC says it is denying several
provisions that would make the MVNO access service
Bell and Telus, and Saskatchewan provincial operator
SaskTel, who must now begin accepting requests for more restrictive and is preventing any provisions that
access to their networks and enter negotiations with would restrict regional providers from reselling their
regional mobile providers to agree on wholesale MVNO wholesale access to other MVNOs. Bell Mobility,
rates. The CRTC says its latest initiatives will: Rogers, Telus and SaskTel must now begin accepting
• open the door for more companies, in particular requests from regional wireless carriers for access to
smaller regional providers in rural areas, to provide their networks and enter negotiations with regional
greater competition and choice to more Canadians wireless providers to agree on wholesale MVNO rates.
• ensure that MVNO access is offered on current and The CRTC established a policy last year to help MVNOs
future mobile networks, including 5G, ‘denying several to be launched in the Canadian market.
provisions that would make the MVNO access service (October 20, 2022) www.thestar.com
more restrictive or difficult to use’
• prevent any provisions that would restrict regional Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada
providers from reselling their wholesale access to (ISED) has stopped major national operator Telus from
other MVNOs. (October 24, 2022) www.commsupdate.com acquiring mobile broadband spectrum in Manitoba
from the defunct Xplore Mobile, which shut down at
The federal telecommunications regulator says it the end of last month. Explaining its decision to block
has made decisions that it hopes will provide greater the frequency transaction application, ISED stated: ‘The
competition in the mobile wireless market. The CRTC proposed transfer raised substantial concerns that the
says it is giving mobile virtual network operators resulting concentration of spectrum would impede the
which resell wireless communications service in ability of future mobile competitors to provide wireless
more rural areas access to the wireless networks of services and effectively compete in Manitoba.’
Canada’s largest telecom providers. The regulator says (September 21, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
the changes will help ensure that the calls and data

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of utilized. Tshisekedi argues that this inaction has made
Congo has ordered the implementation of the country’s “effective management” of the funds impossible, and
universal service fund (USF) within “a reasonable has now ordered that the money be used to finance
timeframe”. The fund was created in October 2002 via infrastructure initiatives to enable widespread and
Congo framework law No. 013/2002 with the goal of delivering affordable access to ICT that reflects the “current
mobile connectivity to the majority of the country’s configuration of the digital ecosystem.”
population. It accrues funds via a 3% levy on operator (September 22, 2022) www.developingtelecoms.com
revenue – and these funds have thus far not been

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