Page 137 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Malaysian government stood by a controversial previously called on the government to set up a second
plan to allow a single 5G wholesale network, but nationwide network, to give the country “the security
outlined an intention to allocate up to 70 per cent of dual competing networks”. At the same time, they
equity in state-owned operator Digital Nasional to have reportedly expressed interest in being allowed to
Malaysia telecoms players to alleviate competition concerns. take equity in Digital Nasional. YTL Communications,
Malaysia will retain the remaining 30 per cent stake in
a smaller operator, has favoured the original single
Digital Nasional, a special purpose vehicle set up by the network plan. Telekom Malaysia previously stated
government to manage the single national 5G network. it would support the government’s decision. Digital
Reuters reported operators will be allowed to hold equity Nasional began a commercial trial of its technology in
stakes to speed the construction of infrastructure, December 2021 which was due to end on 31 March.
citing a joint statement from Malaysia’s finance and The wholesale player now intends to extend the trial
communication ministries. Digital Nasional welcomed until 30 June to allow more operators to sign up. During
the move, stating it looked forward to engaging with the trial, operators are allowed to access the network
operators “to discuss and agree all aspects related to without charge “to provide 5G experiences to their end
the proposed equity participation”. It is not yet clear how users”. The objective is to achieve 80 per cent coverage
mobile operators in Malaysia will respond to the latest of populated areas by 2024.
proposal. Celcom Axiata, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile have (March 16. 2022) mobileworldlive.com

The Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) has Megacable and the International Finance Corporation
agreed to relax the coverage obligations of wholesale (IFC) – was selected as the winner of a government
4G provider Red Compartida. As per its original tender to establish an open-access 700MHz wholesale
license agreement, the company agreed to roll out network. Red Compartida went live in March 2018
Mexico infrastructure covering 92.2% of the population by and currently covers 69.58% of the population. Red
January 2024, but fell behind schedule in 2021 and went Compartida reached the five million subscriptions
on to file for bankruptcy protection later that year. The milestone in December 2021, up from just 200,000 at
watchdog must now comply with the 92.2% milestone the end of 2019. Of the top-line figure, 3.839 million
by 24 January 2028. Meanwhile, an interim target of accounts were for mobile use, while the remaining
70% has been set for 30 November 2022. According to 1.163 million users were signed up to fixed wireless
TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in November plans. A total of 112 MVNOs utilized the network at
2016 ALTAN Redes – a consortium including Axtel, end-2021. (March 9, 2022) commsupdate.com

The telecom watchdog EKIP has approved bids placed per government’s previous statements. Measures
by Mtel, Crnogorski Telekom and Telenor Montenegro and policy reforms envisaged by the roadmap relate
in a public auction for allocation of national frequency to harmonization of national legislation for electronic
licenses for 5G mobile networks. Mtel won frequencies communications with the EU rules, implementation
Montenegro in the 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz and 2.6 GHz spectra, of 5G networks on the entire territory of Montenegro
while Crnogorski Telekom and Telenor Montenegro and pilot testing projects and removing administrative
secured frequencies in the 2.6 GHz spectrum at obstacles, among others. Meanwhile, EKIP said the
the auction held December 27. The licenses will be number of mobile phone subscribers in Montenegro
valid until September 1, 2031, according to EKIP. rose 3.7% year-on-year to 1,120,074 at the end of
Montenegro has recently adopted a roadmap to December. The mobile penetration rate in Montenegro
encourage the introduction of 5G mobile networks by went down to 180.65% in December from 185.53% at
the end of 2022. A national strategy is expected to be the end of November, when the number of subscribers
adopted next year, defining further activities for the was 1,150,310.
support of the rollout of 5G networks in Montenegro, (March 10, 2022) africanwirelesscomms.com

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia level of competition, market saturation, and whether
(CRAN) announced on Friday that the award of new there are any existing barriers to entry into the sector.
telecoms and broadcasting licenses will be suspended Although CRAN will not accept new applications during
from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2023. The the period, it will consider applications for amendment,
Namibia sector regulator said the decision will allow it to withdrawal, transfer, and cession of existing telecoms
conduct research to determine the current market or broadcasting service licenses when practically

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