Page 81 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ETNO Flags European 5G Lag

Industry group ETNO called for swift per capita in Europe stood at €34.70,
action to address fragmentation and compared with €76.10 in the US and
a restrictive regulatory environment €52.50 in Japan. European ARPU is
which it argued is hindering the also lower at €14.90, versus €36.90 in
continent’s progress in 5G relative the US and €28.10 in Japan. Europe’s
to the US and Asia. Research by the biggest operators including Vodafone
association showed the region is Group, Deutsche Telekom, Telecom
lagging in network deployments and Italia and Telefonica have all launched
digital investment metrics covering 5G, so the report will no doubt be
5G and AI. It said fragmentation and concerning the national governments
regulation contributed to “weakening which have earmarked the technology
the European telecoms sector”. The as key for future infrastructure
State of Digital Communications report, development and boosting economies.
launched by ETNO in conjunction In other areas, ETNO noted Europe
with research group Analysys Mason, had a significant role in advancing
showed a quarter of citizens had access innovation in AI. Between 2010 and
to at least one next-generation network 2020, the continent secured 11,400
in Q3 2020, up from 12.9 per cent in the patents, better than China (5,700)
comparable 2019 period. In contrast, and Japan (4,000), but behind South
76 per cent of the US population had Korea’s 16,800 and 53,200 by the US.
access to technology, while in South Rupert Wood, research director at
Korea the figure stood at 93 per cent. Analysys Mason, added: “European
ETNO’s research also found demand in operators remain exposed to greater
Europe was lower than other markets, competitive pressures than elsewhere
noting this could impact the operator and consequently have revenue lines
business case for faster rollouts. The that change little in relation to surging
average mass market telecoms spend demand.”

Approval of ROW Policy by Federal Cabinet a Historical Success of MoIT&T

Pakistan Federal Minister for IT and Tele- offered thanks to Prime Minister, federal hurdles in way of laying optical fiber cable
communication Syed Amin Ul Haque has cabinet, PM Taskforce and all concerned (OFC) and telecommunication extension
said that the Right of Way (RoW) Policy departments on endorsement of Right of across country, he added. The key features
will play important role for the comple- Way Policy. He said that no government of Right of Way Policy are: Fee determina-
tion of Digital Pakistan Vision. He termed in the past gave any importance to Right tion, dispute resolution, national security,
the approval of Right of Way Policy by of Way Policy. Federal Minister said that safety and protection from health hazards,
federal cabinet as historical success of Right of Way Policy will pave way for laying telecom as critical infrastructure, sharing
Ministry of IT & Telecom. In a statement of telecommunication network and dig- of Right of Way, security of telecom infra-
on Wednesday, the Federal Minister for IT italization. It will be helpful for removing structure and common services corridor.

Frontier Secures FCC Approval for Chapter 11 Restructuring

Frontier Communications has announced the FCC and 13 states, namely: Arizona, emerge from Chapter 11 in early 2021.
that it has secured approval from the Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Upon emergence, Frontier will have
Federal Communications Commission Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, reduced its total outstanding indebtedness
(FCC) for its Chapter 11 restructuring. South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia. by more than USD10 billion and will move
Frontier now has regulatory approvals, or The telco notes: ‘Frontier expects to forward with enhanced financial flexibility
favorable determinations, for its required promptly consummate the transactions to support continued investment in an
change-in-control applications related to contemplated under its previously improved customer experience and long-
its court-supervised restructuring from confirmed Plan of Reorganization and term growth.’

81 JANUARY 2021