Page 125 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

OFCOM Consults on Future of UK Telephone Numbers

With British telecoms regulator OFCOM networks, it considered a requirement to in ‘autumn 2021’, setting out its decisions
saying that the way phone numbers in provide this facility ‘is no longer justified’. on the proposals on geographic numbers
the UK are used is changing – citing Meanwhile the two other key proposals and prohibiting the sharing of revenue
the increased use of mobile and online comprise: plans to ban direct and indirect with calling parties in the Numbering
communication, and a decline in fixed line sharing of revenue with any calling party Plan. Meanwhile, it said it will continue
use as key factors – it has announced a for all geographic and non-geographic its review to ensure that our numbering
consultation on the future of telephone numbers; and the maintaining of existing rules promote consumer confidence, and
numbers. OFCOM first outlined a proposed rules on area codes corresponding to a in the next stage of the process expects
approach to its review of the National particular location. According to OFCOM, it to examine the future role for 084 and 087
Telephone Numbering Plan back in an plans to issue a statement on the matter non-geographic numbers.
initial consultation launched in 2019. Now,
in the next stage of the review process, the
watchdog has set out specific proposals to
amend the Numbering Plan and is calling
feedback on these proposals by a deadline
of 2 July 2021. In terms of OFCOM’s key
proposals, the first would see it remove the
obligation on telecoms providers to provide
a ‘local dialing’ facility, which allows
users to let someone make a call from
one landline to another in the same area
without dialing the area code. According to
the regulator, its research has found that
the value of local dialing for consumers has
declined, while it said given the increased
complexity of providing it on IP-based

US Coalition Calls for FCC Spectrum Shake-Up

The recently formed 5G for 12GHz Coalition called on the Federal be for next-generation services. In its latest statement, the group
Communications Commission (FCC) to unlock the spectrum called for operators to be held to account for wishing to use the
band to boost US next-generation ambitions, arguing current 12GHz band for one purpose, a stance it described as “anti-5G”.
rules were holding the nation back. In a statement, the coalition “We urge the Commission to prioritize science and facts in its
called for amendments to rules it argues are decades old and decision making and not be swayed by a few companies.”nThe
which are now impacting the US in a 5G race with China. It added FCC opened a public consultation on whether to allow mobile
it is imperative the US now moves to enable spectrum sharing services in the 12GHz band in January. The band is currently used
among 5G terrestrial services, direct broadband satellite and non- by satellite providers, and the FCC said it was seeking input on
geostationary orbiting satellites. The 5G for 12GHz Coalition was whether it would be possible to share the frequency with terrestrial
formed last month, with more than 20 members consisting of mobile services without causing harmful interference. However,
public interest groups, trade associations and companies in the the move has faced opposition from satellite service providers,
telecoms sector lobbying for the FCC to allow 12GHz spectrum to including OneWeb and SpaceX.

Italy’s Highest Court Backs 3.5GHz License Extensions

Italy’s Council of State (Consiglio di Stato, CdS) has approved 2018. Although TIM and Vodafone had each paid close to EUR1.7
the extension of wireless broadband licenses in the 3.5GHz band billion (USD2 billion) for their licenses, the extension of Linkem’s
held by GO internet, Fastweb, Linkem and Mandarin. Cellcos TIM, 3.5GHz concession from end-2023 to end-2029 will cost the
Vodafone and Iliad had launched an appeal to halt the six-year company EUR40 million, while Fastweb will pay EUR27.14 million,
extensions at the proposed prices, saying the operators were GO will pay EUR2.6 million and Mandarin will be charged EUR1.14
getting access to 3.5GHz frequencies at a much lower cost than million.
what they themselves had paid at auction for 3.7GHz spectrum in
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