Page 134 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has coverage obligations that relate to the provision of 3G and 4G
published an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to participate in the upcoming services. Winning bidders will be required to phase in coverage
auction of additional spectrum in the 1800MHz, 2100MHz and of 4G data services in five of the largest cities in Afghanistan
2600MHz bands for 4G services. The auction comprises three within 18 months and the next 13 largest cities within two years.
2×5MHz lots of 1800MHz frequencies, two 2×5MHz lots in the In addition, successful bidders will be required to have at least
2100MHz range and three 2×10MHz blocks of 2600MHz airwaves. five operational base stations in each of the remaining provinces
Operators will be limited to no more than a combined total of within one year, and ten base stations in each within two years.
2×10MHz from the 1800MHz and 2100MHz ranges, or 2×20MHz Finally, every new base station installed after the assignment of
across all three bands. Following the completion of the allocation the new spectrum blocks must provide the opportunity for sharing
process, the ATRA plans to allow mobile network operators the with at least two other providers. Each allocation is valid for 15
opportunity to consolidate their holdings into contiguous blocks. years and the ATRA has set reserve prices at: USD17.2 million for
The process will be carried out in close coordination with affected each 1800MHz lot; USD12.0 million per lot in the 2100MHz band;
operators to minimize disruption, but cellcos will be invited and USD11.0 million for each 2600MHz lot. Under the current
to jointly propose plans for how they would like to consolidate timeline set out by the ATRA, interested parties have until 23 June
their holding with ATRA to intervene ‘only as required’. Whilst the to submit applications, and the auction will take place on 30 June.
allocations will be technology neutral, the regulator has included (May 10, 2021) commsupdate.com

Algeria

The Algerian government has approved the five-year renewal of number portability, which is to preserve numbering resources, will
the telecoms network operating licenses of cellcos Mobilis and stimulate competition between operators by facilitating consumer
Djezzy, subsidiaries of Algerie Telecom and VEON, respectively. choice between their various services, which consumers will
The renewal of the licenses to build and operate public electronic no longer be required to change the numbering to access the
communications networks (including cellular) was implemented offers presented by different operators on the market," said
via two draft decrees presented to the government on 11 May the government. Mobile Number Portability was initiated in the
by acting telecoms minister Sid Ahmed Ferroukhi (also the country in 2018. In January 2020, Brahim Boumzar announced
minister for fisheries), after the two companies met the requisite the finalization in the progress of the draft decree relating to it. A
conditions. (May 13, 2021) Agence Ecofin national commission in charge of concretizing the law on number
portability had then seen the light of day in June. In practice,
Mobile Number Portability has become a reality in Algeria. The through the portability of mobile numbers, the government has
executive decree defining the conditions and steps necessary for given the power of sanction to telecom subscribers. There is no
the implementation of the service presented to the government more need to acquire a new mobile number, and no more tedious
on Wednesday, April 14 at a meeting chaired by the Prime tasks to communicate it to all its directory. Any telecom operator
Minister, has been approved. The announcement was made that cannot convince consumers of the quality of its services will
by the Minister of Post, Telecommunications, Technology, and be condemned to lose them to its competitors, who will also see
Digital, Brahim Boumzar, on April 15. "The main contribution of their revenues grow at the same time. (April 20, 2021) ecofinagency.com

134 APRIL-MAY 2021