Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Authority for Management and Regulation network and service providers, and the continued
in Communications (ANCOM) has adopted its work implementation of Infrastructure Law No. 159/2016.
plan for 2022, which includes the long-awaited auction Presenting the plan, ANCOM president Vlad Stefan
of 5G frequencies in the 700MHz, 1500MHz and Stoica said: ‘Creating a legal framework adapted to
Romania 3400MHz-3800MHz bands during Q3. The tender, current needs, which would support the development
which is expected to raise around EUR600 million
of the telecom sector and the protection of users, is the
(USD672 million), follows the allocation in November main objective of ANCOM for this year. The transposition
last year of short-term user rights for 5G-suitable of the European Electronic Communications Code into
frequencies in the 800MHz, 2600MHz and 3.5GHz national law as soon as possible will allow us to review
bands. The regulator’s other main priorities for this year and update the national regulations in force, so that
include the transposition of the European Electronic we all benefit from the advantages and opportunities
Communications Code, the establishment of minimum offered by a single European framework, in line with the
security measures to be taken by communication rapid evolution in this field.’ (February 25, 2022) commsupdate.com

All six bidders have qualified for participation in the respect of the international mobile telecommunications
auction phase of the ongoing licensing process for spectrum licensing process marking a step towards
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) the auctioning of high-demand spectrum in March
spectrum, or high-demand spectrum, the Independent 2022. The Authority will announce the qualified
South Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) bidders on 21 February 2022. This will mark the next
critical milestone in the effort of the authority to finally
said. Information and communications technology
Africa groups Cell C, Liquid Telecoms, MTN, Rain Networks, release this much-needed economic stimulus input.
Telkom and Vodacom submitted their applications The Chairperson of Icasa, Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng
by January 31 in response to the Invitation to Apply expresses his utmost gratitude to all applicants
(ITA) issued on December 10. “The fact that all six and encourages them to continue supporting this
applicants have qualified illustrates the robustness of process until its completion. “We thank all applicants
our telecommunications sector in South Africa. We can for participating in the process. We intend to finally
officially proclaim the forthcoming March spectrum see the licensing of high-demand spectrum through
auction as an unparalleled milestone in our country's to completion to ensure that all South Africans have
communications history as this will be the first ever access to a wide range of communications services,
spectrum auction held on our shores,” said Icasa including data services, at affordable prices,” says Dr.
Chairperson Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng. In line with Modimoeng. Furthermore, the chairperson urges all role
the truncated timetable published by the Authority for players to align their interests with their patriotic spirit,
this licensing process, and after extensive analysis of and to allow this critical regulatory intervention to be
received applications, all six applications passed the completed. “We value each milestone in this process,
pre-qualification stage of the licensing process and especially considering the mammoth legal challenges
can now participate in the planned auction stage at the we have encountered along the way. Ultimately, public
beginning of March 2022. (February 21, 2022) engineeringnews.co.za interest should prevail, as this process will yield
positive spinoffs for the industry and society at large,”
The Independent Communications Authority of South concludes Dr Modimoeng.
Africa (Icaca) said it has received six applications in (February 1, 2022) bizcommunity.com

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has confirmed MSIT official was cited as saying: ‘"The auction will
that the auction of additional 5G-suitable spectrum not open in February … It’s true the schedule is being
will no longer take place this month as planned, amid slightly delayed from what we had initially announced.’
a continued dispute between operators related to the In December 2021 the MSIT announced it would
terms of the frequency sale. With the spectrum tender open bidding for a 20MHz block of spectrum in the
South Korea having been expected to get underway in February, 3.5GHz band (3.40GHz-3.42GHz), following a request
SK Telecom and KT Corp have continued to complain by LG Uplus, before subsequently confirming the
that smaller rival LG Uplus is at a relative advantage new frequencies would be priced at KRW135.5 billion
in the auction, as it is claimed it will cost LG Plus less (USD113 million).
to utilize the frequencies that are being offered. Now, (February 17, 2022) Yonhap News Agency
with regards to the delay of the auction process an

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