Page 150 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA, or Energistyrelsen) part, TT-Netvaerket agreed to pay DKK740.976 million
has revealed the results of its auction for tech-neutral for the following spectrum: 1×45MHz in the 1500MHz
spectrum in the 1500MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, 3.5GHz band, 2×20MHz in the 2100MHz band, 1×140MHz
and 26GHz bands, with TDC Net, Hi3G Denmark and in the 3.5GHz band (including rental obligation for
Denmark TT-Netvaerket (Telenor/Telia joint venture) all securing private networks) and 1×600MHz in the 26GHz band.
airwaves in the tender. Hi3G Denmark won 2×20MHz in
All airwaves in the 2100MHz band come with coverage
the 2100MHz frequency band, 1×120MHz in the 3.5GHz obligations, which must be met by 1 February 2024;
band and 1×1000MHz in the 26GHz band for a grand Hi3G’s concession has coverage obligations for 41
total of DKK540.525 million (USD87.4 million). TDC Net areas, TDC (40 areas) and TT-Netvaerket (41 areas).
secured 1×45MHz in the 1500MHz band, 2×20MHz in Regarding the 3.5GHz band, all licensees are required
the 2100MHz band, 1×40MHz in the 2300MHz band, to provide 60% population coverage using the band by
1×130MHz in the 3.5GHz band and 1×1250MHz in the 31 December 2023 and 75% (December 2025).
26GHz band for a total of DKK794.685 million. For its (April 23, 2021) commsupdate.com

Nelson Arroyo, president of the Dominican Development Bank (IDB) – is now underway and will
Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Dominicano remain open until 31 May. Mr. Arroyo commented:
de las Telecomunicaciones, Indotel), has confirmed ‘Ultimately, a solid regulatory framework in the field
that moves are underway to modernize and update the of information technologies creates an environment
Dominican General Telecommunications Law No. 153-98, which conducive to national and foreign investment that
was introduced 23 years ago. A public consultation
results in economic advancement for the entire nation.’
Republic – created under the advice of the Inter-American (April 15, 2021) commsupdate.com

With the deadline for bids for two nationwide telecoms that competitive bidding will ensure that Ethiopia gets
concessions having passed yesterday (26 April 2021), the best deal.’ As several companies had previously
the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has expressed interest in the concessions – such as
now confirmed the receipt of two bids, one from South Etisalat, Orange Group and Saudi Telecom Company
Ethiopia African telecoms giant MTN Group, and the other from – questions have been raised as to why only two bids
a consortium comprising Kenya’s Safaricom, Vodafone were received. Among the suggestions for why would-
Group, Vodacom Group, CDC Group and Sumitomo be bidders have stayed away are: concerns over the
Corporation. In a press release regarding the matter, current conflict in the northern Tigray region; economic
the ECA noted that an ‘extensive review’ of the final concerns regarding repatriation of profits; and the fact
qualifying submissions will now be undertaken, that the concessions will not permit the winners to
following which it will select winning bids, with a offer mobile phone-based financial services. Alongside
formal announcement to be made after technical this, CNBC Africa cites Brook Taye, a senior official at
and financial evaluation is completed. Commenting Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance, as suggesting that some
on the matter, ECA director Eng Balch was cited as companies may be looking to invest in the country’s
saying: ‘We are delighted to have had interest from incumbent telecoms provider rather than acquire a new
established telecoms operators from around the world, license, with the executive saying: ‘It seems companies
commensurate with this unprecedented opportunity like Orange and Etisalat are more interested in buying a
… The ECA will be looking for the best all-round stake in Ethio Telecom’.
partners for the bids submitted and we are confident (April 27, 2021) commsupdate.com

French regulator ARCEP has approved Digicel and in the 800MHz and 900MHz bands. While the RAN is
Free Caraibe’s network-sharing arrangement for the deployed, Digicel will authorize Free Caraibe to roam
Antilles-Guyane region (covering French Guiana, on its spectrum as part of the transition. In December
Guadeloupe and Martinique). Digicel and Free last year, the companies informed ARCEP that this
France Caraibe first drafted the agreement in February 2020 transitory phase would last no longer than two years,
but would be extended geographically during this time
before signing the deal 16th December that year. The
companies plan to build out and a shared RAN over to encompass additional territories. An amendment
the next two years that will be owned and operated to their agreement specified that this phase could be
by new joint venture Madiacom. The deal will involve extended by mutual consent by a maximum of one
temporary cross-sharing of low-band frequencies additional year if deemed necessary as a result of

150 APRIL-MAY 2021