Page 112 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Japanese Cellcos Divided Over Radio Frequency Auctions Proposal

Japan’s mobile network operators However, some critics of the plan say that stance was greeted as a ‘bolt out of the
(MNOs) have reacted badly to a proposal rising bids could ultimately result in higher blue’ in some quarters as until now, all
to embrace an auction system for tariffs for end users as MNOs look to major MNOs have been less than positive
allocating radio frequency spectrum and, recoup the outlay of spectrum investment. about adopting spectrum auctions that
amid heated arguments over the plan, Japan is expected to drill down into the could generate bidding wars and spiraling
have reportedly split into two distinct figures as it finalises the viability of this prices. Countering DOCOMO’s position,
camps. The Ministry of Internal Affairs approach before drawing up its final policy Rakuten chairman and president Hiroshi
and Communications (MIC) is looking to over the summer. However, whilst the Mikitani objected to the auction proposal,
implement a spectrum auction to decide likes of NTT DOCOMO President Motoyuki declaring a ‘resounding no’ via Twitter, and
who gets rights to precious spectrum – Ii has reportedly expressed his opinion in a sideswipe to DOCOMO, said the plan
mindful of anticipated increased demand that Japan ‘should consider introducing would ‘revive the oligopoly of companies
for airwaves in the country as operators an auction system as the basic method with excessive profits.
deploy bandwidth-hungry 5G systems. for spectrum allocation’, his change of

US Exempts Internet Communication Services from Russian Sanctions

The US Treasury has exempted the provision of internet Federation of services, software, hardware, or technology incident
communication services from US sanctions against Russia, in to the exchange of communications over the internet, such as
a move welcomed by human rights and open access groups, instant messaging, videoconferencing, chat and email, social
Datacenterdynamics.com reported. A statement from the networking, sharing of photos, movies, and documents, web
US Office of Foreign Assets Control said: ‘The exportation or browsing, blogging, web hosting, and domain name registration
reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the services, that is prohibited by the RuHSR [Russian Harmful
United States or by US persons, wherever located, to the Russian Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations], is authorized.’ Certain
exceptions apply, such as transactions with a list of Russian
financial institutions. Following US sanctions imposed on Russia
in late February, internet backbone providers Cogent and Lumen
stated they would end data transmission to Russia, although
according to Datacenterdynamics’ report Lumen appeared to
remain connected to the country, while various other US companies
including Cisco, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Apple, PayPal, Visa and
Mastercard have suspended Russian business, whereas Amazon
Web Services (AWS) ceased taking new customers in Russia or
Belarus without closing its operations. On the other hand, content
delivery network (CDN), Edge and web infrastructure companies
Cloudflare and Akamai have declared they will continue operating
in Russia to support internet access for citizens.

ARTA Dismisses NTC’s Motion, Approves Automatic Permit for NOW Telecom

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) of the Philippines has granted hindered for more than a decade, but the provisional authority
its approval for NOW Telecom’s application for an automatic covers rights to use 220MHz of spectrum ranging from 1970MHz-
extension of its mobile license permits, paving the way for it to offer 1980MHz, paired with 2160MHz to 2170MHz and 3.6GHz to
mobile broadband services across the country. Local press reports 3.8GHz, including 5G frequencies for mobile and fixed wireless
note that on 31 March 2022 ARTA issued a resolution throwing out broadband. An order of automatic approval was issued by ARTA
a motion filed for reconsideration by the industry regulator, the on 1 March 2021. ‘There being neither legal basis nor cogent
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and declared reason to reverse its disposition through omnibus order dated
NOW Telecom’s application for cellular mobile telephone system Jan. 31, 2022, the authority resolves to deny the NTC’s motion for
(CMTS) provisional authority as complete. The operator’s efforts reconsideration dated Feb. 14, 2022,’ ARTA was cited as saying.
to secure a toehold in the mobile broadband market have been

112 MARCH-APRIL 2022