Page 101 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Following the publication of determinations regarding for the frequencies – this is payable by 15 December
the assignment of frequencies in the 2600MHz band each year. Similar filings were made by both Digi
by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Telecommunications (2560MHz-2570MHz/2680MHz-
Commission (MCMC) in May 2021, operators have 2690MHz) and Maxis (2510MHz-2520MHz/2630MHz-
Malaysia now confirmed their acceptance of these spectrum 2640MHz), which both confirmed they will pay the
allocations, confirming the prices they will pay in
same one-off and annual fees for their respective
the process. In a filing with the Bursa Malaysia, 2×10MHz allocations in the 2600MHz band. Meanwhile,
Celcom parent company Axiata Group revealed it had Telekom Malaysia also issued a statement confirming
accepted the MCMC’s offer for a spectrum assignment that its subsidiary Webe Digital had accepted the
(2530MHz-2540MHz/2650MHz-2660MHz), noting MCMC’s assignment of an unpaired 20MHz block in
the Malaysian cellco had made an upfront payment the 2600MHz band (2575MHz-2595MHz). Telekom
of MYR11.76 million (USD13.3 million) for these Malaysia noted that it has paid an upfront fee of
frequencies. Further, Axiata also confirmed that MYR7.06 million for the frequencies, with the annual
Celcom’s spectrum assignment will become valid from fee component to be paid throughout the assignment
1 July 2022 and be valid for five years, while noting an period being MYR5.98 million.
annual fee of MYR20.76 million will also be payable (February 14, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto The telecoms regulator indicated a long-awaited
Federal de Telecomunicaciones, IFT) has confirmed auction of 5G licenses is due to take place in 2022, after
that it has authorized America Movil (AM)-backed it was added to the work program for the coming twelve
Telcel to introduce 5G technology. In order to facilitate months. The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones
Mexico the company’s 5G ambitions, the watchdog has agreed (IFT) said its Programa Anual de Trabajo 2022 includes
to modify 18 fixed wireless access (FWA) concessions plans to auction off 5G-enabling frequencies in the
held by Radiomovil Dipsa (Telcel) for mobile use. In 600MHz, 3.3GHz and 3.5GHz bands, along with the L
addition, the IFT has opted to switch the telco’s existing band (1500MHz range). An auction was expected to
3450MHz-3550MHz spectrum holdings for 3350MHz- take place in the second half of 2020, but was delayed
3450MHz frequencies to avoid interference issues. As by Covid-19 (coronavirus). In December 2021, AT&T
a result of licensing tweaks, Telcel will be obliged to pay Mexico pressed ahead with the launch of 5G services,
the government an annual usage fee of MXN900 million reportedly using its existing license in the 2.5GHz
(USD43.9 million). Going forward, the regulator expects band. The IFT will no doubt be hoping the 5G tender
Telcel to ‘put into operation the largest 5G commercial will be more successful than an auction of unused 4G
network in Latin America’. TeleGeography notes that frequencies conducted in October 2021. At the time,
chief rival AT&T Mexico is the country’s other 3.5GHz only AT&T Mexico and Telcel submitted bids, picking up
spectrum holder. The 3550MHz-3600MHz concession 800MHz and 2.5GHz frequencies respectively. Blocks
– which was inherited via the 2015 takeover of Nextel in the 1700MHz/2100MHz and 1900MHz bands, as
Mexico – was renewed on 1 January 2020, for a period well as other 800MHz allocations, went unsold.
of 20 years. It is unclear if AT&T is awaiting further IFT (February 4, 2022) mobileworldlive.com
action before it can use the frequencies to launch 5G
mobile services. (February 13, 2022) commsupdate.com

The Senate (First Chamber [Eerste Kamer] of regulation amendments; further lowering barriers for
Parliament) has approved a bill to complete the subscribers to switch providers; and new powers for
country’s implementation of the European Electronic the government to obtain data about the geographical
Communications Code (EECC) via amendments to the coverage of networks. Despite the EC opening
The Telecommunications Act. The Senate Committee on infringement procedures against 24 EU countries
including the Netherlands for failing to enact the EECC
Economic Affairs issued a final report on 8 February
Netherlands 2022 stating that the bill will be passed as a ‘hamerstuk’ in February 2021, the Dutch government did not publish
(‘hammer document’) which does not require further proposals for implementing the remainder of the EECC
debate or voting, on 15 February 2022. The House until 22 June 2021, requiring parliamentary scrutiny
of Representatives (Second Chamber of Parliament) before subsequent adoption. The EECC aims to support
had passed the proposal on 28 October 2021. the objective of universal broadband internet access
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that set out in European Gigabit Society action plans, while
the EECC was due to be transposed by 21 December strengthening the functioning of the EU electronic
2020 but on that date the Netherlands transposed communications market, promoting competition
only selected aspects of the Code covering: access between providers and improving the position of
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