Page 126 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

NITA Uganda to Merge with Uganda Communications Commission

The National Information Technology no duplication with existing ministries. of the biggest taxpayers in the country.
Authority Uganda (NITA-U), might be This would give the UCC responsibility Alternatively, the NBI could be transferred
abolished or merged with the Uganda for major projects such as the National to be managed by Uganda Telecom
Communications Commission (UCC), in Backbone Infrastructure (NBI) scheme. Limited (UTL) under the supervision of
a move to merge government agencies According to a report by Techjaja while MoICT. But at the end of the day, this is
and authorities whose roles seem to the government recommended for NITA-U still on paper and may not be implemented
be duplicated. Local media reports to be restructured into a department any time soon. Meanwhile, the Ugandan
quoting government sources said that under the Ministry of Information, government said that it has introduced a
the plan follows recommendations Communications Technology and National 12% tax on internet data, potentially hiking
from the government and a separate Guidance (MoICT), the independent review prices for online access in the East African
review team concerning government team for it to be completely abolished and country where consumers are already
agencies, commission authorities, and merged with UCC which will be retained as paying some of the world's highest internet
public expenditure to ensure there is an autonomous body as it regulates some costs.

DITRDC Proposes Spectrum Limits for Sub-1GHz Spectrum

With the Australian Communications ahead of which the DITRDC issued a of sub-1GHz spectrum under spectrum
and Media Authority (ACMA) planning press release confirming it is considering licenses. The draft direction would also
to auction spectrum in the 850MHz and whether to direct the communications set aside spectrum for Optus and TPG
900MHz bands in late 2021, the Department regulator to impose allocation limits with Telecom in the 900MHz band to support
of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional a view to supporting the government’s service continuity. The DITRDC said it is
Development and Communications communication policy objectives. To now seeking stakeholder views on whether
(DITRDC) is seeking feedback on a draft of that end, the DITRDC has prepared an the direction ‘will operate effectively with
an allocation limits direction ahead of the ‘exposure draft direction’ that would ACMA’s proposed allocation procedures.
sale process. ACMA will soon consult on require ACMA to impose limits such that
its allocation instruments for the auction, no person could use more than 82MHz

Germany Boosts 5G Project Funding

Germany made a step towards accelerating the development
of 5G services in the country, pouring additional investments
into backing domestic endeavors. In a statement, the Federal
Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI)
revealed 48 consortia stood to receive funding of up to €4
million per project, as part of a program unveiled in 2019
seeking to support 5G projects. The funding is intended for
local authorities to develop 5G-enabled services in areas
including agriculture, health, education and administration.
German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
Andreas Scheuer described the move as a boost for the
mobile communications sector in the country, while hailing
the potential of new applications and services to reduce
costs and carbon emissions. The next-generation technology
“creates completely new possibilities in everyday life and
on site”, he added. BMVI selected the initial ten projects in
January, providing a total of €38 million towards developing a
range of services employing 5G.

126 APRIL-MAY 2021