Page 177 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

have submitted proposals to the Ministry of Finance 1500MHz (L-band), 3.3GHz and 3.5GHz. An auction has
and the legislature to analyze the situation of the high not materialized however, with industry observers citing
cost of spectrum use in Mexico, which is up to 186% the high price of spectrum as a major stumbling block.
higher than the international average.’ He suggested In Mexico, successful bidders pay an upfront fee as
that the high prices and delayed spectrum tenders have well as an annual frequency usage fee for the duration
cost the government around MXN4.5 billion (USD224.9 of the concession; with licenses generally valid for 20
million) this year. In February 2022 the IFT approved its years the prices of the licenses are far higher than the
‘Annual Work Program 2022’, paving the way for a 5G equivalent concessions in other markets.
spectrum auction to take place this year. The eventual (October 18, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
frequency sale will include the following bands: 600MHz,

Telecoms watchdog the Agency for Electronic networks. Operators have until 28 November to submit
Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) has their applications to participate in the auction, which
launched the procedure for approving companies is tentatively scheduled to begin between 19 and 23
wishing to bid for spectrum in the 700MHz (694MHz- December. Issuance of final approval for use of the
Montenegro 790MHz), 3.6GHz (3400MHz-3800MHz) and 26GHz frequencies is expected in February or March 2023.
(26.5GHz-27.5GHz) bands for use by public mobile
(October 31, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The National Frequency Agency (Agence Nationale des January 2023 state-owned national PTO Office des
Frequences, ANFR) has announced that the 700MHz Postes et Telecommunications de Nouvelle-Caledonie
frequency band will be freed up for mobile services by (OPT-NC) will be assigned 700MHz spectrum and will
the end of October. Main national network broadcaster use the frequencies for the continued rollout of 4G LTE
New TDF began the process of releasing the spectrum and LTE-A services.
earlier this month and the process is expected to
(September 30, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
Caledonia conclude on 26 October, weather permitting. On 1

Spark New Zealand hammered out a deal with the on state roads. CEO Jolie Hodson stated the agreement
government for a direct allocation of 80MHz of 3.5GHz gives Spark “the certainty we need to continue investing
spectrum in return for earmarking additional funds for in the rollout of 5G” across the country, “while delivering
rural connectivity and agreeing to extend 5G services further connectivity improvements” in rural areas.
New to more provincial towns. In a statement, the operator “We look forward to working with government on the
finalization of the binding management rights deed,
explained the non-binding agreement gives it long-
Zealand term spectrum rights in the band from 1 July 2023. and on the future allocation of 600MHz and mm-
Spark committed to raising its funding to the Rural wave, which will be particularly important for rural 5G
Connectivity Group by NZD24 million ($13.6 million) coverage.” In May 2020, the government allocated
between 2023 and 2025, supporting the program’s Spark and 2degrees 60MHz each in the 3.5GHz band,
objectives to improve mobile coverage in rural areas and and 40MHz to Dense Air. (October 20, 2022) www.mobileworldlive.com

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from 3400MHz-3500MHz and 3600MHz-3700MHz.
has published a Draft Information Memorandum for Each lot has a reserve price of USD273.6 million, with
an auction of additional spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, the nationwide spectrum licenses valid for ten years.
Nigeria following the successful sale of 5G licenses in that To qualify to bid in the auction, applicants will not have
range in December last year. Interested stakeholders are
to be an existing licensed network operator in Nigeria,
invited to make written submissions by 11 November although any successful bidder which does not already
and participate in a public consultation on the draft to have a Unified Access Service License (UASL) will be
be held on 15 November, with the spectrum auction granted one upon payment of the specified fee. The
currently scheduled to take place on 19 December. The NCC has placed a cap of 100MHz as the maximum
regulator plans to auction off the remaining two lots amount of spectrum that an operator can hold in the
of 100MHz TDD spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, ranging 3.5GHz band. Winning bidders will be required to

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