Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

migration of consumers of all sorts and sizes away their associated costs. Rather than a foothold for new
from TDM technology, copper loops and local telephone entrants into the marketplace, they have become a vice,
service toward newer, any-distance voice services over trapping ILECs into preserving outdated technologies
next-generation wireline and wireless networks and and services at the cost of a slower transition to
the wide range of competitors offering facilities-based next-generation networks and services that benefit
voice service alongside over-the-top VoIP services, American consumers and businesses.’
we find that the public interest is no longer served by (August 8, 2019) telegeography.com
maintaining these legacy regulatory obligations and

The Ministry of Information and Communications The Vietnamese state announced plans to sell
(MIC) has announced it is preparing procedures to large stakes in Mobifone and Vietnam Posts and
auction off mobile spectrum in the 2600MHz band. The Telecommunications Group (VPTG) by the end of 2020,
frequencies are expected to be used to enhance LTE alongside a number of other interests. In the past,
Vietnam coverage and capacity across the country. Under the Vietnam has struggled to garner investment into the
many state-owned businesses operating in the country.
proposed conditions, winning bidders will be required
to begin network deployment within 24 months of Only 35 of the 127 companies earmarked for share
receiving their spectrum license, with existing mobile sales in 2017 have completed the process. Reports
operators required to roll out at least 5,000 base state the government plans to sell “up to” 49 per cent
stations within that timeframe. New market entrants of its shareholding in both Mobifone and VPTG, which
will only be allowed to begin providing services once owns mobile operator Vinaphone. The operators are
they have met 50% of either of the following two two of the three dominant players in the Vietnamese
conditions: provide 4G population coverage of at least mobile market. Figures from GSMA Intelligence for
75% in all districts, towns and cities within 24 months; Q2 placed Vinaphone as the third-largest player by
or roll out 8,500 base stations to supply 4G in all connections (including cellular IoT), with a share of 22
districts, towns and cities. Interested parties have been per cent. Mobifone ranked second on 34 per cent share,
given until 29 August 2019 to submit comments to while market leader Viettel had 41 per cent. Vietnam’s
the Authority of Radio Frequency Management (RFD). latest sale will see the government dispose of a range
(August 20, 2019) telegeography.com of stakes in 93 companies, in sectors ranging from
energy to banking and manufacturing.
(August 16, 2019) Bloomberg

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory The supplier undertakes the financing and construction
Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has invited bids for of the project and after its completion hands it over to
the construction of 100 mobile network base stations Potraz. Potraz reimburses the total project investment
targeting unserviced areas so as to expand network on the basis of an agreed schedule.” The regulator
coverage in the country. In a tender statement at the said a formal request for proposal will be issued
Zimbabwe weekend, Potraz said qualified firms should submit following a review of the Expressions of Interest
their expressions of interest by September 20, 2019 for received and that qualifying interested parties will
designing, construction and commissioning of shared be notified to submit proposals for the project. The
telecommunications towers and related infrastructure. successful implementation of the projects is expected
The projects would be funded using resources from to help improve access to telecommunication services
the Universal Services Fund (USF), a pool of funds and enhance overall development in the outlying
contributed by companies in the telecommunications communities. In determining which areas benefit
sector and meant for the development and provision from the USF, Potraz liaises with relevant Government
of telecommunications in under-serviced areas. “In ministries, Members of Parliament and other
pursuit of its mandate under the Universal Services stakeholders in the postal and telecommunications
Fund, Potraz intends to extend rural coverage by sectors to identify least serviced areas in each
constructing 100 base stations in uncovered rural and province excluding Harare and Bulawayo. Targeted
remote areas in Zimbabwe. “The base station passive areas are then surveyed with the assistance of licensed
infrastructure should accommodate the existing three operators before funds are disbursed for any project
mobile network operators and provide spare capacity that is meant to bring universal access to the public
for additional operators,” said Potraz. “The project living in un-serviced areas. Other purposes of the USF
is planned to be implemented as a turnkey vendor include assisting in the training of personnel in the
financed Build and Transfer joint venture agreement. provision of postal and telecommunication services

120 AUGUST 2019