Page 184 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Senate has approved an amendment to Article 56 in January 2023. However, the amendment excludes
of the Law on Audiovisual Communication Services to operators providing TV services via satellite. The
allow cable TV operators to also offer fixed broadband development comes after the Regulatory Unit of
services. The move will enable other companies to Communications Services (Unidad Reguladora de
Uruguay compete with state-owned national telecoms operator Servicios de Comunicaciones, URSEC) authorized five
cable operators to offer broadband internet services
Antel, which was previously the only operator permitted
to supply broadband services over fixed telecoms in June. Cable Montevideo (Montecable), Tractoral
networks, as Article 56 barred cablecos from providing (TCC), Korfield, Praimar and Riselco (Nuevo Siglo) were
internet, phone and data transmission services to permitted to offer broadband to consumers after filing
prevent cross-ownership. The Congress is still debating a legal action challenging the constitutionality of Article
some proposed changes to other areas of the media 56. In 2016 the Supreme Court of Justice ruled in their
legislation, but if these are approved and then signed favor but the article remained in place due to lack of
off by President Luis Lacalle-Pou as expected, then political support for its elimination.
private cable operators will have the right to request (October 10, 2022) Bnamericas
a license to offer fixed broadband services starting

Airtel Zambia has completed its purchase of 60MHz Zambian unit’s network expansion for mobile and fixed
of additional spectrum in the 800MHz and 2600MHz wireless services – including a 5G rollout – and provide
bands for a total consideration of USD29 million ‘significant capacity’ to accommodate growing demand
(payable in local currency), the cellco’s parent company, for data in the market.
Zambia Airtel Africa, confirmed. A statement from the group (October 17, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
noted that the airwaves would be used to support the

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