Page 100 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint operator stated that it had inked a mobile network
Martin by 31 December 2021. Under the terms and sharing agreement with Digicel on 3 February 2020,
obligations of its frequency authorization No. 2017- for the creation of as joint company – Madiacom
1038, the operator was required to provide mobile – and the transfer of Digicel’s mobile network in the
services to 50% of the population in Guadeloupe and new unit. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the
Martinique, 30% in French Guiana and 75% in Saint implementation of the project had been delayed, with
Barthelemy and Saint Martin by November 2018, Free Caraibe now given until the end of 2021 to fulfil its
though it missed the deadline. In October 2020 the obligations. (January 11, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Superintendence of Telecommunications move represents the first notable action of new SIT
(Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones, SIT) boss Marco Antonio Baten Ruiz, who replaced Jose
issued Resolution SIT-DSI-664-2020 on 4 January Monterrosa on 29 December 2020.
2021, paving the way for the auction of a 60MHz block (January 8, 2021) commsupdate.com
Guatemala of spectrum in the 700MHz band later this year. The

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) deployed for 2G networks, MNOs may gradually scale
in Hong Kong has warned the territory’s remaining down their provision of 2G services. Customers using
2G handset users that they should look to upgrade old mobile handsets which support reception of 2G
to newer alternatives to ensure that they retain services with only one of the above frequency bands
Hong Kong connectivity. While formal plans for a full 2G shutdown may be affected in the process.’ It is urging consumers
have yet to be announced, the regulator says that the
to contact their service provider to upgrade their plan
reassignment this year of spectrum in the 900MHz and to 3G or above. OFCA completed the reassignment of
1800MHz bands – both currently used for 2G services 2×25MHz of frequencies in the 900MHz range, with
– means that mobile network operators (MNOs) licenses now valid for a further 15 years to January
will be looking to refarm 2G spectrum to support 2036. 1800MHz spectrum is due to be reassigned in
more advanced technologies such as 4G or 5G. In a September this year.
statement, the watchdog said: ‘With less spectrum (January 13, 2021) commsupdate.com

The National Media & Infocommunications Hungary’s three leading cellcos: Magyar Telekom
Authority (NMHH) has completed the auction of secured 16MHz in the 900MHz band and 40MHz in
900MHz/1800MHz mobile spectrum licenses valid the 1800MHz band, compared to Vodafone (18MHz at
from April 2022 to April 2037 for a total price of 900MHz, 40MHz at 1800MHz) and Telenor (26MHz at
Hungary HUF150.2 billion (USD505 million), including HUF73.8 900MHz, 40MHz at 1800MHz). Each 15-year license
may be extended for a further five years.
billion for 900MHz frequencies and HUF76.4 billion
for the 1800MHz band. The spectrum – all in current (January 29, 2021) commsupdate.com
usage on 2G/3G/4G networks – was divided between

India’s Department of Telecom (DoT) was tipped to convene a meeting tomorrow (6 January) with local
distribute auction applications to potential bidders this operators, equipment vendors and international tech
week for the country’s next 4G spectrum sale in March, companies, including Google, Facebook and Apple,
The Economic Times (ET) reported. Industry sources to start work on a long-term spectrum roadmap and
India told ET the auction would be held 45 to 60 days after identify potential 5G bands, the newspaper wrote. In
DoT issued the documents to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel October, the country’s government established a panel
and Vodafone Idea. In mid-December the government comprising the heads of its telecoms and defence
approved guidelines for the sale of spectrum across ministries, among others, to streamline spectrum
seven bands. A total of about 2,250MHz of airwaves allocation and deliver a long-term roadmap designed
will be on the block, with spectrum licenses valid for to offer operators clarity on the specific bands to be
20 years. Analysts forecast the auction to generate made available. A 4G auction planned in 2020 was
up to INR3.9 trillion ($53.3 billion). DoT also plans to pushed to early 2021. (January 5, 2021) mobileworldlive.com

100 JANUARY 2021