Page 86 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Norway Seeks to Calm 5G Interference Worries

The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) waded into the
debate over interference from C-Band 5G networks with aircraft
altimeters, claiming tests in Norway uncovered no problems. In
response to US reports that radar-based altimeters on aeroplanes
and helicopters may be affected by 5G signals, Nkom carried
out its own tests involving the latter aircraft. “Observations
and analyses so far show no operational effects on the radar
altimeters in the helicopters that participated in the tests,” the
regulator stated. Nkom did concede that, compared with Norway
and Europe, the spectrum used for 5G in the US is closer to the
frequencies used by altimeters. US operators AT&T and Verizon
last month launched services in the 3.7GHz to 3.98GHz range, a
little higher than the 3.4GHz to 3.8GHz 5G band used in Europe, and Europe as well. It carried out the tests at Kjeller Airport in
while altimeters and flight systems operate in the 4.2GHz to collaboration with the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Research
4.4GHz band. Nkom explained it was nevertheless important to Institute (FFI), Telenor Research, Telia, the Air Force, the Police
investigate whether or not there may be challenges in Norway Helicopter Service and the Norwegian Air Ambulance.

Brazil Competition Authority Clears Oi Mobile Asset Sale

A sale of operator Oi’s mobile assets to the Brazilian units of the country’s competition regulator with conditions, despite
America Movil, Telefonica and Telecom Italia was approved by calls earlier this week for the deal to be blocked. Approving the
sale Cade, Brazil’s competition authority, noted although the
deal meant a reduction in the number of providers, there would
be wider negative impacts should the sale be scrapped and Oi
subsequently became insolvent. Oi is currently in bankruptcy
protection. Cade noted if the operator goes bust, it would impact
the fixed, broadband, data communication services markets and
various other industries using its infrastructure. Cade’s approval
is contingent on the buyers meeting a series of conditions, which
include the divestment by public offering of around half of the
base stations acquired; commitments for wholesale access to
be given to MVNOs including 5G and IoT suitable frequencies;
and potential deals to industrial players in each of the country’s
municipalities. The deal for the purchase and division of debt-
laden Oi’s mobile assets was struck in December 2020 following
an auction. Telecoms regulator Anatel already cleared the
arrangement with its own conditions.

Brazil Ended 2021 with 1.210 Million DSS 5G Subscriptions

Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia Nacional end, with 470,909 5G accounts. Claro claimed 455,768 5G
de Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has revealed that the country’s subscriptions, with TIM Brasil registering 283,765. TeleGeography
mobile operators ended 31 December 2021 with a total of 1.210 notes that both Algar Telecom and Claro activated new 2.3GHz-
million 5G subscriptions based on dynamic spectrum sharing based 5G services in December, following the conclusion of
(DSS) technology. DSS enables the parallel operation of 4G and Brazil’s multi-band 5G spectrum sale in November 2021. All
5G services via one frequency band. Telefonica Brasil (Vivo) winning bidders are required to offer 5G services in all state
accounted for the lion’s share of 5G DSS subscriptions at year- capitals and the Federal District (Distrito Federal) by 31 July 2022.

86 FEBRUARY 2022