Page 159 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Slovenian government’s auction of 5G spectrum Frequencies in the 700MHz, 1500MHz, 3.5GHz and
has raised a total of EUR164.2 million (USD195.7 26GHz bands are available to operators immediately,
million). The sale included frequencies in the 700MHz, while the 2100MHz spectrum will be released on
1500MHz, 2100MHz, 2.3GHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz bands, 22 September and the 2.3GHz frequencies will be
and spectrum was acquired by the four incumbent available from 1 January 2022. Licenses are valid for
Slovenia mobile network operators (MNOs). Telekom Slovenia 15 years, but could be extended to 20-year terms under
was the highest bidder with bids totaling EUR52.1 a proposed amendment to the country’s Electronic
million for licenses in five of the six available bands, Communications Act. Winning bidders are obliged to
followed closely by Telemach, which offered EUR51.6 be using spectrum from each frequency band in at
million for frequencies in all bands. A1 Slovenia paid least one city within one year and all major cities within
EUR42.4 million for spectrum in the 700MHz, 1500MHz, five years, while the 700MHz licenses carry additional
2100MHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz ranges, while T-2 bid coverage requirements for major national highways
EUR18.2 million for 2100MHz and 2.3GHz licenses. and rail routes. (April 19, 2021) commsupdate.com

South Africa’s telecoms regulator Independent CommsUpdate, in late December 2020 Telkom filed an
Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) application with the High Court in Pretoria seeking an
has extended the temporary allocation of emergency interdict to halt ICASA’s spectrum licensing process,
spectrum under South Africa’s disaster management claiming that ICASA’s Invitations To Apply (ITAs) for
South Africa regulations by two months (from 1 April to 31 May spectrum and the Wireless Open Access Network
2021), following the delay in the planned multi-band
(WOAN) have fundamental flaws that could entrench
spectrum auction due to a legal challenge. ICASA said the ‘dominance’ of market leaders Vodacom and MTN.
in a statement: ‘Following the expiry of the temporary Earlier this month, the High Court in Pretoria issued
spectrum extension on 31 May 2021, the authority an interdict preventing ICASA from proceeding with
will embark on a comprehensive review of the ICT the auction for high demand spectrum in the 700MHz,
COVID-19 national disaster regulations, which include 800MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz bands, pending the
the radio frequency spectrum extensions, as well as final determination of Telkom’s application to review
the relaxation of compliance requirements in respect ICASA’s decision to publish the two ITAs.
of local content for broadcasters, and type-approval (March 29, 2021) commsupdate.com
obligations.’ As previously reported by TeleGeography’s

The Post and Telecom Agency (Post & Telestyrelsen, Sweden.’ (May 13, 2021) commsupdate.com
PTS) has opened a public consultation regarding the
award of local 5G licenses for industrial and public Sweden’s telecoms regulator, the Post and Telecom
sector use in fields such as industry, mining, ports, Agency (Post & Telestyrelsen, PTS), is preparing to
Sweden warehousing and hospitals. The proposed concessions offer SEK1.6 billion (USD188 million) of funding for fiber
will utilize spectrum in the 3720MHz-3800MHz and network expansion in underserved localities in three
24.25GHz-25.1GHz ranges, with the first licensing regions. The watchdog says subsidies will be available
expected to take place this year. In a statement the in Norrland, Svealand and Gotaland, but only for areas
regulator said: ‘The conditions aim to enable local where there are no plans by telcos for a commercial
applications in a purposeful and robust manner and broadband network rollout. Applications for funding
thereby provide space for innovation and development, will be invited in May, with payments to be made by the
as well as contribute to the further rollout of 5G uses in end of the year. (April 16, 2021) commsupdate.com

Taiwan’s five dominant telecom services providers Assessment for Telecommunication’ by the National
– Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone Communications Commission (NCC) next month.
(FET), Asia Pacific Telecom and Taiwan Star – will be According to the local press outlet, the service items
required to disclose important service information on and formats to be used by telecoms for self-evaluating
their websites, including mobile broadband speeds their mobile communication services were approved
Taiwan and coverage levels, by January 2022, the Taipei at a weekly commissioners’ meeting last week, based
Times reports. The new requirement is expected to on Article 18 of the Telecommunications Management
be introduced following the pending announcement Act. The NCC has said that operators with an annual
of the ‘Service Items and Formats of Service Quality sales revenue of more than TWD100 million (USD3.5

159 APRIL-MAY 2021