Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Belgian Consultation Committee Approves Draft Law for 5G Auction

The Belgian Consultation Committee, The Consultation Committee is expected and Europe, because the deployment of
which brings together representatives to make a final decision at another 5G also has a direct effect on the Belgian
from the country’s federal and regional meeting before the summer recess. As recovery plan after the coronavirus crisis,’
governments, has approved draft previously reported by TeleGeography’s she said. ‘The importance is therefore
legislation that would enable the country’s CommsUpdate, B2B wireless connectivity enormous both for our companies and for
long-delayed 5G spectrum auction to be provider Citymesh announced last our consumers.’ Belgium’s plans for a 5G
staged in early 2022, reports Le Soir. The week that it plans to apply for the entire spectrum auction have been at an impasse
royal decrees will now be put to a vote in spectrum package reserved for a fourth for years due to a disagreement between
parliament and then submitted to the State operator in the auction, confirming its federal and regional governments over
Council for consultation. The draft leaves ambition to compete in the consumer how to distribute the revenue raised by
room for a fourth mobile network operator market. Commenting on the latest the auction, which could yield more than
in the market but no decision has yet been development, Minister Petra De Sutter EUR800 million (USD975.5 million). Under
taken about whether to reserve spectrum expressed her satisfaction that progress the minister’s proposal, the funds will
for a new entrant, a spokesperson for has been made concerning the 5G auction. be held in escrow until the regions have
Telecom Minister Petra De Sutter said. ‘This is an important issue for our country reached an agreement.

ComCom Consults on Price-Quality Regulations for Chorus, Disclosure

Requirements for Fiber Companies

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released for cap is around 4% lower than proposed by Chorus across the
consultation its draft view on the maximum revenues wholesale period. The Commission’s draft decisions include the expenditure
fixed line provider Chorus should be able to earn from its fiber that Chorus can recover over the regulatory period. Following
network over the first three years of the new regulatory regime scrutiny, the Commission proposes to reduce Chorus’ expenditure
that takes effect from 1 January 2022 and the minimum allowance across the period by NZD210 million (in real dollars), a
quality standards Chorus should meet. Telecommunications 14% reduction on Chorus’ proposal. However, Chorus may re-apply
Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said the estimated price-quality for some categories of expenditure included in this reduction via
path would cap Chorus revenues for three years from 1 January another mechanism. The Commission has also outlined its draft
2022 at NZD689 million (USD502.2 million) in 2022, rising to decisions on information disclosure requirements for Chorus and
NZD786 million in 2024, in line with forecast demand. The revenue the three other regulated companies that operate fiber networks
in the country – Enable Networks, Northpower Fiber and Ultrafast
Fiber. In addition, the Commission has proposed some limited
amendments to the Input Methodologies – the upfront framework
of rules that underpin the regime. These amendments are intended
to enable the effective implementation of the Commission’s draft
decisions or to enhance certainty about the rules, requirements
and processes that apply to price-quality paths and the ID
requirements. The Commission is separately consulting on the
initial value of Chorus’ fiber network at the start of the regulatory
period, or what is referred to as its regulatory asset base (RAB).
Submission can be made until 8 July.

Dutch Operators Receive Government Directives on Network Vendor Choice

The Netherlands’ government has issued KPN, T-Mobile and VodafoneZiggo are prevented from supplying 5G core network
orders to the nation’s mobile network strictly prohibited from revealing any technology to Dutch MNOs, while a Huawei
operators (MNOs) regarding choice details of the orders. Various news outlets spokesperson confirmed to Financieele
of network suppliers, the Ministry of including BusinessInsider.nl reported Dagblad that ‘We do not supply 5G core
Economic Affairs has confirmed, although assumptions that China’s Huawei is now equipment in the Netherlands.’

117 APRIL-MAY 2021