Page 105 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Malaysia’s Communications Ministry has instructed copyright infringement, online scams and prostitution.
the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia However, critics have accused the MCMC of also
Commission (MCMC) to stop forcing local ISPs to using DNS redirection to censor websites unrelated
redirect domain name service (DNS) traffic away from to such activities, such as election results site Undi.
Malaysia third-party DNS servers. Reports emerged last month info, investigative journalism website Sarawak Report
claiming that Malaysian ISPs – including Maxis, Time and blogger site Medium. The MCMC issued another
dotcom, U Mobile, CelcomDigi and Telekom Malaysia’s statement confirming that it requires Malaysian ISPs to
Unifi – had implemented transparent DNS proxy, which redirect DNS traffic, stating that the move is necessary
redirects DNS queries to alternative DNS servers like to “protect users by blocking access to websites known
Google Public DNS and Cloudflare back to local DNS for distributing malware, phishing, and other malicious
servers. This method effectively prevents Internet activities, as well as filter inappropriate content such
users from using alternative DNS servers to access as adult material and violent websites.” The MCMC
websites blocked by the MCMC. At the time, the MCMC also denied accusations that DNS redirection was
responded with a statement that it was “working “draconian”, and said accusations that it was blocking
closely with local service providers" in relation to DNS legitimate websites were “inaccurate”. The statement
management as a way to block access to websites that added that "any websites that believe they have been
violate Malaysian law, but didn't directly confirm it was unfairly targeted or affected may file an appeal through
ordering them to redirect DNS queries. The MCMC also the established channels," meaning the MCMC’s
claimed that 95.7% of blocked websites were involved in Appeals Tribunal.
illegal activities such as online gambling, pornography, (September 9, 2024) www.developingtelecoms.com

New Mexico’s Office of Broadband Access and • Picuris Pueblo, $4,072,430
Expansion (OBAE) has awarded more than $40 million • San Ildefonso Services, LLC, $3,474,312
grants from the Connect New Mexico Fund to ISPs, • Isleta Pueblo, $1,554,891.
telephone cooperatives, pueblos, and a tribal company The funds will go toward will be used for broadband
Mexico for broadband projects. Some of the seven entities deployment in 16 counties, including the addition
receiving grants will be working on multiple projects. of nearly 400 miles of fiber across New Mexico.
The $70 million Connect New Mexico Fund is a state- Construction on these projects will start as awardees
led broadband grant program that was established complete preliminary work including permitting, right
to expand high-speed internet access and deploy of way access, labor contracts, and supply purchases.
infrastructure to unserved and underserved people (i.e., More Connect New Mexico Funds are expected to be
those without access to a broadband connection with awarded soon, though no timetable was announced.
speeds of at least 100 download/20 Mbps upload). “These state grants signify tremendous progress
Comcast, which is working on four projects, received towards building reliable broadband infrastructure
the largest grant — a little more than $2.5 million — that helps connect communities in rural parts of New
while Resound Networks, which is working on three Mexico,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “New Mexicans
projects, received $8.1 million. can rest assured that my administration will remain
Other receiving grants were: aggressive about delivering scalable and sustainable
• Valley Telephone Cooperative, $5,682,261 high-speed internet to broadband-dry areas of the
• Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative, $4,858,602 state.”
(2 projects) (September 1, 2024) www.telecompetitor.com

The Netherlands’ three national mobile operators history. It was originally scheduled to take place in 2022,
KPN, Odido and Vodafone Ziggo all received 100 but was postponed to address concerns from Inmarsat
MHz of spectrum in the 5G pioneer band. In total, the about protections for satellite services being withdrawn
auction raised €174.4 million in revenues, with KPN in the band. In April 2023, Schiphol Airport and the Port
Netherlands and Odido both paying €58.4 million, and Vodafone of Rotterdam Authority sued the government over its
plans to designate more 3.5 GHz bandwidth for private
Ziggo shelling out €57.5 million. The licenses will be
valid until December 31, 2040. According to the latest networks. In October 2023, however, Inmarsat agreed
5G Observatory report, the Netherlands was the last to move its operations from the Netherlands to Greece.
country in the European Union to assign the 3.6 GHz In December 2023, a Rotterdam court ruled in favor of
band. The band has now been majority assigned the government in all eight appeals against the 3.5 GHz
(meaning at least 200 MHz made available) in all 27 auction plans.
Member States. The Dutch auction has had a long (July 3, 2024) www.5gobservatory.eu

105 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024