Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

blocking of 28,200 mobile handsets and to carry out 348 mobile handsets across the country, and flagged
immediate reverification of 20 lakh mobile connections 10,834 suspected mobile numbers for re-verification.
linked to these mobile handsets and disconnect failing Besides, DoT has blocked 1.58 lakh unique mobile
re-verification," the statement said. The DoT launched device identification number IMEI due to involvement in
Chakshu portal two months ago to handle telecom cybercrimes and financial frauds or mobile connections
fraud-related grievances. Since the launch of the portal, taken on fake or forged documents.
the department has blacklisted 52 entities involved (May 10, 2024) www.zeebiz.com
in sending malicious and phishing SMSes, blocked

Telecommunication companies planning to bid for the from a single wholesale network (SWN) to a dual net-
dual 5G network need to finalize the share subscription work. Fahmi said the Cabinet has agreed that the im-
agreement (SSA) within 20 days, says Communications plementation of the 5G network will shift from SWN to
Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He also said that the Malaysian the dual network once the coverage reaches 80% of the
Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) populated areas. “Overall, there are a total of 13.2 million
is expected to announce the tender process for the roll- 5G accounts nationwide. This is a positive achievement
out’s second network. “As the coverage of populated and proof that the roll-out was successful policy-wise
areas for 5G network has surpassed 80%, the next step and through the monitoring body (MCMC),” he said. Of
would be for the mobile network operators to complete the total number of accounts, Fahmi said that there are
the SSA process, which is their equity share in Digital 12.7 million individual users and 422,609 enterprises.
Nasional Berhad (DNB). “The Cabinet was informed that He said a memorandum of understanding will be signed
the meeting between the telco companies was held on between MCMC and the Malaysian Investment Develop-
May 20 and they were given 20 days to decide their eq- ment Authority (Mida) to further boost 5G participation
uity share in DNB within that period,” he told reporters among small and medium enterprises. “Within a week
on May 21. He added that the telco companies need or two, MCMC and Mida will sign an MOU to help these
to complete the SSA before they are allowed to bid for SMEs adopt and implement a 5G network in their busi-
the tender. In December, five mobile network operators nesses,” he added.
(MNOs) signed a SSA with DNB as part of the transition (May 21, 2024) www.thestar.com.my

El Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), the available to operators. Concessions will be granted
Mexican telecommunications regulator, has announced for 20 years. Some of the bands could be used for 5G
plans to put out to tender 6,158 spectrum blocks for networks, though this announcement does not outline
wireless access services. In what it describes as a minimum reference value or coverage commitments.
Mexico consultative process, it is calling for comment from IFT said it had about 330MHz of spectrum available
all parties interested in the bidding process, as well for bidding. The same source points out that spectrum
as the academic sector, experts, private, public and pricing could be an issue, having put off would-be buyers
civil society organizations and the general public. The during previous bidding processes. Still, there’s quite a
process is open for a period of 20 working days, from 7 long time to go. Expressions of interest are expected by
May to 3 June. The tender, once public consultations are this September. Evaluation and issuance of certificates
over, will make portions of spectrum in the 600MHz (for of participation are to take place no later than March
both national coverage and what are known as partial 2025. The presentation of offers is due to take place
service areas or APS), L-band (national), AWS (APS), from May 5 2025 – just under a year from now.
PCS (APS), 2.5GHz (APS) and 800MHz (APS) bands (May 9, 2024) www.developingtelecoms.com

The Dutch government will launch an auction for 5G bandwidth, as bidders will be allotted a maximum
bandwidth for 5G networks on June 25, it said. The of 40% of the available space, the Ministry of Economic
auction will award at least three telecom providers with Affairs and Climate Policy said. (May 28, 2024) www.xm.com

Netherlands

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