Page 153 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

analog telephone networks. ASCII calls account for outdated regulatory requirement established in 1991.
approximately 0.01% of TTY-based communications, Today’s action continues the FCC’s work to unleash
resulting in manufacturers no longer including support a new wave of economic opportunity by ending
for the ASCII format in TTY devices. Therefore, unnecessary, outdated, and burdensome regulations.
continuing to apply the ASCII rule causes TTY-based In keeping with this “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative,
TRS providers to incur unnecessary costs to keep today’s proposal would help companies invest more
their hardware and software systems compatible. This resources in modernization efforts to ensure continued
deletion, which follows a 2022 petition to eliminate the U.S. leadership in telecommunications.
ASCII requirement, will reduce costs by eliminating an (June 26, 2025) www.fcc.gov

The Ministry of Science and Technology has approved erators to reduce infrastructure costs while improving
a new auction plan for the rights to use two key radio network performance. Telecom providers with a mobile
frequency blocks: 703-713 MHz and 758-768 MHz service license must commit to deploying at least 2,000
(block B1-B1’), and 723-733 MHz and 778-788 MHz new mobile base stations within two years of receiving
Vietnam (block B3-B3’). Both spectrum blocks, classified as "di- the frequency license. Of these, no fewer than 650 must
amond bands," have a starting bid of over VND 1.955
serve Vietnam’s maritime and island areas. Operators
trillion (approximately USD 76.8 million), and are des- must also launch services using the B1-B1’ and B3-B3’
ignated for mobile communications systems following blocks within 12 months of receiving the license. By that
IMT-Advanced (4G) and future standards. Licenses will time, at least 30% of the committed base stations must
be valid for 15 years. Companies that previously won be operational. Full coverage across all national high-
the B2-B2’ block (713-723 MHz and 768-778 MHz) are ways built before 2030 is also mandatory. Le Van Tuan,
excluded from this auction. Participating enterprises Director General of the Authority of Radio Frequency
must place a deposit of VND 100 billion (approx. USD Management, emphasized: “Auctioning and activating
3.93 million) and submit their eligibility documents the 700MHz spectrum is a critical step in implement-
within 30 days. The auction will be conducted via di- ing the national digital infrastructure strategy outlined
rect ballot, with a minimum bid increment of VND 20 in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.” He added that the Minis-
billion. Previously used for analog TV broadcasts, these try of Science and Technology will continue optimizing
low-frequency bands have since been reallocated to spectrum resources to support Vietnam’s telecom and
support mobile communications post-2020. Compared digital transformation goals.
to the 1800 MHz band, the B1-B1’ and B3-B3’ blocks (July 23, 2025) www.vietnamnet.vn
offer a 1.8 times larger coverage radius, enabling op-

In the just-released Q1 2025 Sector Performance “aggressive efficiency strategies.” “What’s remarkable
Report, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory is not the revenue dip, which reflects broader
Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) paints a picture of a macroeconomic pressures, but the industry’s
telecom industry navigating turbulent economic waters adaptability through smart cost management,” said Dr.
Zimbabwe with calculated resilience. The report reveals that G. K. Machengete, POTRAZ Director General. “These
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) saw a ZWG 270
efforts lay a strong foundation for recovery and growth.”
million revenue decline, slipping from ZWG 6.42 billion The sector also reported a 50% drop in capital
in Q4 2024 to ZWG 6.15 billion in Q1 2025, marking a expenditure, sliding from ZWG 842.20 million to ZWG
4.20% drop in total revenue. However, this decline is 423.81 million. This decline may reflect cautious
counterbalanced by a dramatic 33.46% reduction in investment in infrastructure amidst currency instability
operating costs, as network providers restructured and a shifting digital landscape that includes
operations to survive Zimbabwe’s volatile economic preparations for 5G, AI integration, and satellite
climate. Operating costs fell from ZWG 5.53 billion to broadband adoption. (June 26, 2025) www.technomag.co.zw
ZWG 3.68 billion, signaling what POTRAZ calls

153 JUNE-JULY 2025