Page 157 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Ministry of Transport and Communications for future 5G use. Finally, 1200MHz of spectrum
(Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones, MTC) in the 5925MHz-7125MHz (6GHz) band has been
has modified its National Frequency Attribution Plan identified for unlicensed Wi-Fi 6E access. Discussing
with the signing of Ministerial Resolution 373-2021- the new resolutions, Diego Carrillo, Vice Minister of
MTC/01 and Vice Ministerial Resolution No. 162-2021- Communications, commented: ‘For TVWS, we have
MTC/03. The new legislation has earmarked 470MHz- also been working on the operational guidelines that
698MHz spectrum in the so-called TV White Space we will approve in May, which will make us the second
(TVWS) band to boost rural broadband coverage. country in Latin America to enable spectrum for the
In addition, 1200MHz of spectrum in the 26GHz use of such a disruptive technology.’
millimeter wave (mmWave) band has been allocated (May 5, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Department of Information and Communications ‘To address permitting delays in ongoing builds of
Technology (DICT) has outlined plans to build common fiber-optic networks, we are drafting a new Joint
tower infrastructure to speed up the rollout of internet Memorandum Circular to streamline the permitting
services in commercially unviable areas. The Malaya process. Fiber networks are critical in operationalizing
Philippines Business Insight cites Emmanuel Rey Caintic, DICT broadband services. As it stands, data from the
undersecretary for Digital Philippines, as saying that
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
that the Department is working with Congress on new confirms that the Philippines had 22,405 towers as of
legislation to allow it to access unused funds raised November 2020, of which Globe Telecom had 10,270,
by spectrum fees to build out the new sites. ‘DICT followed by Smart Communications (10,069) and new
wishes to invest in common towers for ‘missionary’ third telco, DITO Telecommunity, with 2,066 towers.
sites, complete with radio access network and Internet (May 7, 2021) commsupdate.com
Protocol backhaul,’ Caintic is quoted as saying, adding:

The National Communications Authority (Autoridade November 2020, when the process commenced with an
Nacional de Comunicacoes, ANACOM) has issued a allocation specifically for a new entrant. The phase was
draft decision approving the renewal of spectrum in the completed on 11 January with the first day of bidding
900MHz and 1800MHz bands for MEO and Vodafone in the full auction coming three days later. After the
Portugal Portugal. The spectrum permits – which were last 59th day of full bidding (7 April) 348 rounds had been
renewed in March 2012 – have been extended until 21 completed. ANACOM noted at the current “particularly
April 2033. As part of the renewal process, ANACOM slow” pace it would last “much longer than initially
has imposed additional coverage obligations on the expected” and, with the inevitable delay to the build
two cellcos. Between them, MEO and Vodafone must of the actual networks, it was in danger of hampering
extend coverage to 100 parishes with low population digital transformation and economic benefits from the
density, ensuring download speeds of up to 100Mbps. technology. In response, the regulator is consulting
Of these 100 parishes, MEO will have to cover 56 and on a number of measures to amend current rules and
Vodafone will have to cover 44. The two operators streamline the process. These include increasing the
must agree on the precise distribution of parishes by maximum number of daily bidding rounds from the
30 June 2022. The decision is now subject to a public current six and allowing greater increments in the
consultation, which will last 20 working days. amounts being offered. The regulator said delays
(May 5, 2021) commsupdate.com in the completion of the auction could hamper the
“competitiveness of our economy, social and territorial
Portuguese regulator ANACOM revealed proposals cohesion, social innovation and improving the quality
to streamline the country’s ongoing 5G auction over of services of public interest”. “It would also impact the
fears its slow progress would prove detrimental to benefits that can be derived from the strengthening of
the country achieving full economic benefits from existing 3G or 4G networks or the development of new
the new network technology. Portugal’s controversial networks”.
spectrum auction has been running in some form since (April 9, 2021) mobileworldlive.com

157 APRIL-MAY 2021