Page 131 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

spectrum for October 2025. The regulator has been spectrum bands to mobile technology, including 5G
waiting for the Competition and Markets Authority to services. Opening up these spectrum bands can improve
make its decision on the Vodafone and Three UK merger mobile services – particularly capacity and speeds in
before finalizing its plans for selling the mmWave cities and major towns – as well as enabling wireless
frequencies. "We have considered whether we need to applications that require large amounts of data, very
review any of the policy decisions we have taken for the high speeds, or both. Ofcom has confirmed that three
mmWave auction in light of the CMA's decision, and we categories of spectrum lots will be auctioned: 26 GHz
consider all of our decisions would remain appropriate lower (25.1-26.5 GHz), 26 GHz upper (26.5-27.5 GHz),
in a three player market," Ofcom said as it shared its and 40 GHz (40.5-43.5 GHz). Each lot will comprise of a
auction plan. "In particular, we do not consider that the block of 200 MHz, with reserve prices set at £2 million
new structure of the market changes our reasoning for for each lot of 26 GHz lower and 26 GHz upper, and £1
not imposing competition measures." Participants will million for each lot of 40 GHz. The auction will be run in
be required to submit their applications on 16 and 17 two stages. The principal stage will decide the quantity
September 2025, with the principal stage of the sale of spectrum each bidder will be allocated. This will be
kicking off the following month, Ofcom said. It chose followed by an assignment stage which will decide the
those dates to enable the merged entity to prepare precise frequencies allocated to each winner.
for the auction, it said. In September, the regulator (December 18, 2024) www.commsbusiness.co.uk
confirmed that it will open the 26 GHz and 40 GHz

The Federal Communications Commission has voted and more. The availability of additional unlicensed
unanimously to allow Very Low Power (VLP) devices spectrum for VLP device use is meant to help support
to operate, unlicensed, across the entirety of the 6 a cutting-edge device category that is still emerging.
GHz band where unlicensed operations are allowed. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that the
United VLP devices that operate across short distances with FCC’s action would “help jumpstart the next generation
very high connection speeds are an emerging device
of unlicensed wireless devices.” While the FCC had
Draft
States category that the FCC said is “ideal for the types of already opened up 850 megahertz of the 6 GHz band
high-data rate cutting-edge applications that will for unlicensed use that would include VLP devices, FCC
both enrich consumer experiences and bolster the Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement
nation’s economy.” The regulatory agency said that that the move to allow VLP devices in additional
making additional spectrum available for unlicensed spectrum “take[s] the effort to support unlicensed
VLP device use will provide more capacity for devices activity in the 6 GHz band even further.” The FCC’s
and applications including augmented reality and action now means that VLP devices will be allowed
virtual reality (AR/VR), in-car connectivity, wearables, to operate across the total of 1,200 megahertz which
healthcare monitoring, short-range mobile hotspots, the FCC designated for unlicensed use back in 2020.
high-accuracy location and navigation, automation, (December 12, 2024) www.rcrwireless.com

The Vietnamese government has issued Decree 163, grated telecommunications infrastructure. Additionally,
providing a detailed legal framework for three newly rec- the decree supports the modernization of subscriber
ognized telecommunications services: data center ser- registration processes, including online registration,
vices, cloud computing, and basic telecommunications aligning with the nation's digital transformation goals.
Vietnam services delivered via the internet. The decree, compris- These provisions aim to accelerate digital infrastructure
ing seven chapters and 86 articles, is applicable to both
and economic growth while ensuring public safety and
domestic and foreign entities involved in telecommu- cybersecurity. Decree 163 stipulates the rights and re-
nications activities in Vietnam. While most provisions sponsibilities of foreign service providers under a light
took effect on December 24, 2024, regulations specific management framework, striking a balance between
to data centers, cloud computing, and internet-based regulatory oversight and market flexibility. It also man-
basic telecommunications services will be enforced dates the secure handling of user data shared during
starting January 1, 2025. According to the Telecom- service agreements and emphasizes the secure utiliza-
munications Authority under the Ministry of Informa- tion of these services by government entities. To pro-
tion and Communications, Decree 163 is a significant mote fair competition, the decree sets clear criteria for
step in operationalizing the Telecommunications Law. identifying dominant telecommunications companies
It aims to foster market growth, enhance competition, and outlines their obligations.
and promote the development of advanced and inte- (December 31, 2024) www.telecomreviewasia.com

131 JAN-FEB 2025