Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The German government wants to speed up the standards by 2030. According to the ministry, there
expansion of fiber optics and mobile communications. is currently 92% coverage for high-speed 5G mobile
After lengthy negotiations within the government, communications and progress is being made with the
the cabinet approved a draft law to accelerate the expansion of fiber optics. There is already overwhelming
Germany expansion of telecommunications networks. "We public interest in the expansion of renewable energies,
are sending an important signal to the economy that for example. This should enable local authorities to
we are resolutely pushing ahead with digitalization," prioritize the expansion when weighing up nature
said Volker Wissing (FDP), Federal Minister for Digital conservation, for example. There was a dispute within
Affairs and Transport. Environmental protection and the government about the word "overriding" when it
modernization of the country would be brought into came to grid expansion - there are to be exceptions to
harmony. The expansion of telecommunications this in the area of nature conservation law. According
networks is to be in the "overriding public interest" in to the Digital Ministry, the overriding public interest
future, for a limited period until 2030. This is intended should apply where the provider who wants to build
to give companies legal certainty. The government's does not yet have mobile coverage. That is just under
goal is to provide Germany with nationwide fiber optic 17 percent of Germany's surface area.
coverage and state-of-the-art mobile communications (July 24, 2024) www.marketscreener.com

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) in the market and protect consumer choice," the NCA
has addressed Internet and mobile data pricing as well explained. According to local media, Ghanaians have
as MTN Ghana being declared a Significant Market called for the dissolution of the NCA board due to high
Power (SMP). The Authority's response came after data costs and unreliable data supply, which some
Ghana what it called "a public outcry" regarding high Internet attribute to MTN's declaration as an SMP back in 2020.
data pricing in the country and MTN Ghana's status as In attempts to level the playing field, in July 2023, the
an SMP, with the regulator saying that it understood NCA introduced technology neutrality to tackle non-
the public's concerns. "As the regulatory authority SMP concerns in the telco industry. "By implementing
for the communications sector, the NCA is entrusted measures such as asymmetric interconnection rates,
with the responsibility of upholding fair competition tariff parity, and technology neutrality, the NCA aims
and safeguarding consumer interests within the to promote competition, encourage innovation, and
telecommunications industry," the NCA said in a protect consumers' interests," the Authority explained.
statement. Therefore, the NCA said the classification According to the NCA those measures enable other
of MTN as an SMP aligns with its mission and fulfils operators to compete effectively, offer sustainable
its mandate. "It is important to note that the SMP pricing, and invest in improving service quality.
classification is not intended to punish or stifle MTN's (July 23, 2024) www.connectingafrica.com
operations but rather to ensure a level playing field

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) re-assigned spectrum in the 850/900 MHz and 2.3 GHz
has recently published the information for the auctions bands on November 11, followed by the auction of 400
of spectrum in the 850/900 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 6/7 GHz megahertz of new airwaves in the 6/7 GHz band on
bands. The government agency also issued a formal November 25. OFCA also noted that the spectrum will
Hong Kong invitation for interested parties to submit applications. be assigned to the successful bidders under unified
“The Communications Authority (CA) and the Secretary carrier licenses with a validity period of 15 years.
for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) Parties interested in participating in the auctions may
issued joint statements in May last year and March submit their applications to OFCA on September 19-20.
this year, announcing the decisions to assign a total The SCED has set the auction reserve prices of HKD4
of 510 megahertz of spectrum in the aforementioned million ($512,000) per megahertz for the 850/900 MHz
bands through auction within this year for the provision and the 2.3 GHz bands, and HKD2 million per megahertz
of public mobile services including 5G services. The for the 6/7 GHz band. The actual amount of spectrum
assignment will further promote the development utilization fees payable will be determined through the
of 5G services in terms of network capacity, service respective auctions, OFCA added.
speed and coverage,” a spokesperson for OFCA said. (July 23, 2024) www.rcrwireless.com
The CA will conduct the auction of 110 megahertz of

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