Page 171 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

license holders will have three years to deploy 5G with 16 blocks of spectrum to the two existing mobile
minimum download speeds of 100Mbps to 60% of the operators in the TRNC, KKTC Telsim and KKTCell. The
population (95% within five years of license award). 4G authorizations will have an 18-year validity and will
(October 7, 2022) www.commsupdate.com require successful bidders to deploy 4G technology
with minimum downlink of 30Mbps ten months after
Turkcell has revealed that its wholly-owned subsidiary license award. Regarding 5G, the authorizations in the
Kuzey Kibris Turkcell (KKTCell), which operates in 700MHz and 3.6GHz bands will be valid for 15 years;
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is license holders will have three years to deploy 5G with
planning to participate in the forthcoming 4G/5G minimum download speeds of 100Mbps to 60% of the
spectrum tender. The TRNC’s Information Technologies population (95% within five years of license award).
and Communication Authority (Bilgi Teknolojileri ve (September 30, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
Haberlesme Kurumu, BTHK) is planning to award

The Agency for Regulation & Control of Movistar (similarly registered as Otecel) reportedly
Telecommunications (Agencia de Regulacion y Control entered negotiations with the regulator over the new
de las Telecomunicaciones, ARCOTEL) has approved concessions in August last year.
the framework for negotiating the renewal of Claro and (September 27, 2022) www.arcotel.gob.ec
Ecuador Movistar’s mobile concessions which expire in 2023.
The new model establishes guidelines concerning a The President Guillermo Lasso has announced his
range of technical and commercial issues, including government plans to invest USD48 million by 2025 to
the fee for the new spectrum licenses, the operators’ expand telecoms connectivity throughout the country
initial infrastructure deployment obligations, and the and reduce the digital divide. During the opening of
regulation of interconnection and network access. a new Wi-Fi access point in Samborondon, Lasso
‘The negotiation of the concession contracts will be an revealed that 4G LTE coverage had been extended to 53
important milestone for the government of President rural parishes in 17 provinces during the first 15 months
Guillermo Lasso, which will guarantee the continuity of his administration, thanks to investment of USD9.8
of mobile services while ensuring digital inclusion, million. In addition, there are now 6,000 free Wi-Fi points
connectivity, innovation, technological development and throughout the country – 886 deployed during Lasso’s
the provision of high quality services for the benefit of tenure – potentially providing internet access, online
citizens’, highlighted ARCOTEL. Claro (registered under courses, ICT training and other services to 600,000
its former brand name Conecel) and Telefonica-owned citizens. (September 7, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

Estonia’s three incumbent mobile network operators Authority (Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Jarelevalve Amet,
(MNOs) have pre-qualified for the forthcoming auction TTJA) has kicked off its latest 5G spectrum auction,
of 5G-capable spectrum in the 700MHz band. Telia, offering six packets of frequencies in the 700MHz band
Elisa and Tele2 are in the running to expand their 5G (694MHz-790MHz). Each license includes 2×5MHz of
Estonia frequency holdings after securing 3.5GHz licenses spectrum and carries a reserve price of EUR1 million
earlier this year. Six packets of 700MHz spectrum are on (USD993,000). A maximum of two licenses can be
offer, with each carrying a reserve price of EUR1 million won per bidder. Applications for the auction are being
(USD972,000) and including 2×5MHz of spectrum. The accepted until 10 October, with the regulator expecting
sale is due to begin on 8 November and a maximum of to begin the auction by mid-November and award
two licenses can be won per bidder. licenses by the end of the year. The recent sale of
(October 17, 2022) www.commsupdate.com licenses in the 3.5GHz band saw successful bids from
Estonia’s three incumbent cellcos, Telia, Elisa and Tele2.
The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory (September 8, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The Federal Network Agency (FNA, known locally as which has been a long-term presence in the MVNO
the Bundesnetzagentur) has set deadlines for MVNO- market, acquired spectrum in the 2100MHz and 3.5GHz
turned-MNO 1&1 Mobilfunk to end its dual role as a bands in 2019, and is on course to launch 5G services
service provider (i.e. MVNO) and network operator. The before end-2022. The watchdog explains: ‘In principle,
Germany company is required to end its sales operations as a it is not possible for a mobile network operator to also
act as a service provider for another network operator.
service provider by the end of 2023 and all its business
activities as a service provider by the end of 2025. 1&1, 1&1 Mobilfunk was allowed to have a dual role for a
171 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022