Page 109 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

consultation. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan- added: “In line with this theme, I urge you to promote
Martin said with one-third of humanity still offline and a regulatory environment that prioritizes innovation,
women and other vulnerable groups on the wrong side safety, privacy, and the rights of digital technology
of the globe’s digital divides, the guidelines highlight users. You should maximize the benefits of ICTs, while
innovation, trust, and inclusivity. “With change being minimizing the negative consequences of regulatory
the only certainty facing regulators and policymakers, interventions.” Ms. Alupo, however, attributed the low
we must work together to pursue regulatory uptake of ICT services in developing countries to low
approaches to leverage transformative technologies per capita incomes, unfriendly regulatory frameworks
such as AI [Artificial Intelligence], promote the space and limited Internet infrastructure. Uganda’s Minister
economy, encourage innovation, and support climate for ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi said
action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” the symposium provided a platform where all thought
she said. Vice President Jessica Alupo, who opened leaders, regulators and industry players converged to
the summit on behalf of President Museveni, said set the policy and regulatory agenda that will guide the
regulators must not only make stringent laws but global digital industry over the near future.
also ensure that the regulations contribute to the (July 9, 2024) www.monitor.co.ug
growth of innovations and the economy. Ms. Alupo

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gave Ofcom is launching a review of the annual license fees
Hewlett Packard Enterprise the green light to acquire they charge mobile network operators for use of three
Juniper Networks, following European Commission mobile spectrum bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100
(EC) approval last week, clearing another major hurdle MHz). Annual license fees (ALFs) are fees we charge
United towards completing the $14 billion deal. In a brief mobile network operators to use certain spectrum
announcement, the CMA explained it had given its
bands. They typically come into effect after a mobile
Kingdom approval following an investigation into the proposed operator’s license won at auction has come to the
tie-up launched in June, a process designed to end of the initial license period. The fees are designed
determine if the transaction could harm competition in to ensure that the spectrum is used efficiently. We
the UK and other markets. The EC similarly ruled the currently charge ALFs for three mobile spectrum
acquisition will not significantly reduce competition bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz). On 28
in the networking equipment segment, adding the March 2024, BT wrote to Ofcom to request a review of
companies are not close competitors. HPE first the ALFs we charge for 1800 MHz spectrum. We have
announced its deal to purchase Juniper Networks now considered BT’s request, and we consider that the
in January. It expects to close the deal in early 2025 evidence suggests that a fee review is justified. As a
at the latest and regulatory clearance from the duo’s result of the commonalities in the formula we use to
home market of the US could be the only other major set ALFs, we have decided to begin a review of all of the
roadblock. When announcing the deal, HPE pushed its ALFs we currently charge (that is, ALFs for 900 MHz,
AI focus, stating the proposed combined business will 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum).
ramp up its “edge-to-cloud strategy with an ability to (July 23, 2024) www.ofcom.org.uk
lead in an AI-native environment”.
(August 7, 2024) www.mobileworldlive.com

The FCC has announced the launch of a new Mobile FCC’s July 23 release, the app will now allow for users
Speed Test app with the intention to make the process to conduct hands-free coverage tests while driving.
of challenging provider-reported coverage maps FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel elaborated on
easier This story was originally published on Total the app’s capabilities in comments included with the
United Telecom’s sister site Broadband Communities Last FCC’s announcement. “Our new app makes it easier
to share real-world experience with connectivity,
week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
States announced the launch of a Mobile Speed Test app, empowering consumers and making it possible for up-
replacing the FCC’s Speed Test app to help improve to-date and crowdsourced information to inform our
the accuracy of the FCC’s National Broadband Map. mapping,” Rosenworcel said. The app also features
The new app features repeated testing capabilities, an “in-app map overlay displaying the area where a
which can be accomplished without the need to certify test was taken,” the agency’s announcement stated.
information before each individual test, according “Consumers deserve to know where they have mobile
to the FCC’s recent announcement. According to the coverage and at what speeds and the FCC wants to

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