Page 174 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

IndoTelko, citing a statement from the Ministry the 2.1GHz band as it looks to push 5G deployments
of Communication and Information (MCI, or across the country. In an interview with the Jakarta
KemKominfo), has reported that Indosat Ooredoo Post, the head of the Indonesian Telematics Society
Hutchison (IOH) has walked away from the upcoming (Mastel) Sigit Puspito Wigati Jarot described the
Indonesia auction of 2.1GHz spectrum which is due to begin on 2.1GHz band as the “sweet spot spectrum” from the
3 October. In an official notice dated 30 September, previous generation, as it could be used by operators
KemKominfo confirmed that three companies – IOH, to boost their capacity in the face of escalating data
Telkomsel (Telekomunikasi Selular) and XL Axiata demand. While Sigit acknowledged that the total
– requested selection documents and submitted holding was fairly small at just 10MHz, the fact that
applications by 27 September 2022. However, having it comprises blocks in the 1975MHz-1980MHz and
carried out an examination of the trio’s applications 2165MHz-2170MHz frequency meant that “it is very
per the Administrative Evaluation Stage (28 and 29 likely that cellular operators will fight tooth and nail
September), it declared that whilst Telkomsel and XL to win this part of the spectrum.” Arif Angga, chair of
Axiata were declared ‘complete’, IOH had resigned from Indonesian Internet Providers Association (APJII), noted
the process (through Letter Number 462/NOO/REL/22 that the technology has previously been used for mobile
dated 27 September 2022 regarding Notice of Not broadband but has now been designated a neutral
Continuing Participation in the Selection of Users of the frequency by the MCI, meaning that operators can
2.1GHz Radio Frequency Band for the Purpose of the use it to offer 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G services. XL Axiata has
Implementation of the 2022 Mobile Cellular Network). already confirmed that it plans to bid for the spectrum,
(September 30, 2022) www.commsupdate.com while Smartfren and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison have
indicated that they may also attempt to procure the
The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) holding to gain a competitive advantage.
plans to sell off a spare 2×5MHz block of spectrum in (September 11, 2022) www.developingtelecoms.com

The Department of Environment, Climate and public BCPs had been installed on the NBI network
Communications (DECC) has published an update and were ready for connection. Meanwhile, BCPs at
regarding the delivery of the country’s National 470 schools within the ‘Intervention Area’ were also
Broadband Plan (NBP). In doing so, the government reported to have been installed and were ‘ready for
Ireland body said that National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the connection to the NBI network, (subject to connection
by the Department of Education)’. (October 19, 2022)
company rolling out the new high speed fiber broadband
network under the NBP, remains on track to pass ‘in www.commsupdate.com
excess of 100,000 premises by the end of its third
contract year (end of January 2023), having passed Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation
more than 85,000 premises at the end of September’. (ComReg) has published its response to a consultation
Also notable, the DECC confirmed that more than on its plans for a short-term licensing framework
20,000 premises had been connected to a high speed relating to spectrum rights in the 700MHz and
broadband service under the NBP as of 30 September 2100MHz bands, while also setting out its final decision
2022. A raft of detailed statistics regarding NBI’s rollout and draft regulations. Last month ComReg began
and uptake were offered up by the DECC, confirming consulting on proposals to issue short-term licenses
that by the end of September 2022 NBI had, among for spectrum in the aforementioned bands with a view
other things, installed 14.4km of fiber cable across to avoiding ‘significant consumer disruption’. With
the country. Meanwhile, with the company confirmed existing concessions in these bands scheduled to
to have passed 85,411 premises across 25 counties expire in October 2022, the regulator had hoped to have
with its infrastructure as of 30 September 2022, the concluded a planned multi-band spectrum auction of
number of premises available for order or pre-order 700MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2.6GHz frequencies
of a service stood at 94,539 at that same date. With prior to that date. However, in July this year Ireland’s
regards to uptake, meanwhile, NBI was confirmed to High Court issued a stay order preventing the auction
have completed 20,512 connections to its network as of from proceeding, following an appeal against the
the end of 3Q22. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) regulator’s plans for the sale process by Three Ireland.
are also being used to provide wireless connectivity Having now received feedback on its plans from the
as part of the NBP, to support remote working and nation’s incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) –
connected communities by providing public access eir, Three Ireland, Vodafone Ireland – the regulator said
to free high speed broadband in advance of the main the trio supported its proposals ‘in the main’. However,
fiber deployment under the NBP. In this area the DECC ComReg did note there was some disagreement with
confirmed that as of 30 September 2022 almost 280 the proposed spectrum fees which the cellcos were said

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