Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

stated the regulator. According to think tank, Blue Europe, for offering some of the most affordable fixed internet
Romania’s internet penetration rate is one of the highest services. Climbing three positions in the global ranking,
in Europe, surpassing even some of the continent’s Romania now boasts an average monthly broadband
wealthiest countries like France, Belgium, Finland, and cost of RON 35 (USD 7.57), marking a decrease from
Austria. In January 2023, Romania had 17.82 million the previous year. The range of internet packages varies
internet users, indicating an 88.9% internet penetration significantly, with the cheapest subscription at RON 6
rate of the total population. Blue Europe points out that (USD 1.30) and the most expensive at RON 45 (USD
Romania stands out in the European Union and globally 9.73). (May 15, 2024) www.mobileeurope.co.uk

SA’s telecom regulator is looking to increase access to The Independent Communications Authority of South
5G communication services by releasing a new batch of Africa (Icasa) has announced the allocation of the
radio frequency spectrum that can be shared between IMT2300 frequency band solely for use in cellular
operators, signaling a major shift from present local networks. As a result, all non-International Mobile
South Africa market deployment practices. After investigating the Communications (IMT) must be cleared from the band
future trajectory of the telecom market, the Independent
by 31 May 2024, with one aeronautical exception. Icasa
Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is preparing published the radio frequency assignment plan for the
to introduce dynamic spectrum access (DSA) and an IMT2300 band in the Government Gazette on 15 May
opportunistic spectrum management framework. This 2024. The IMT2300 band ranges between 2300MHz and
will be for two 5G frequency bands: 3,800 to 4,200MHz 2400MHz and will be used for IMT-Time Division Duplex
and 5,925 to 6,425MHz, Icasa said in the Government (TDD). Telkom is currently assigned the first 60MHz
Gazette recently. DSA is a technique to improve of the band, so the remaining 40MHz will be assigned
efficiency in using radio frequencies on which data is by prospective licensees being invited to apply. The
transmitted. spectrum will be assigned for 3G, 4G, 5G, and other IMT
To use an analogy, radio waves can be visualized as use. However, South Africa is phasing out 3G services,
lanes on a highway. In the conventional spectrum so it is unclear whether the older technology will feature
allocation, specific frequencies, or lanes, are designated in this band. Because it is a TDD network, adjacent TDD
for specific uses such as TV or radio broadcasting and networks should be synchronized with the uplink and
cellphone calls. The problem is that some frequencies downlink frames aligned in time to avoid interference.
are not constantly in use, such as TV channels at night. This also ensures the efficient use of the spectrum
DSA allows other devices to use temporarily unused resources. The Gazette states that systems seeking an
lanes, allowing for sharing of spectrum assets. The assignment of the spectrum need to promote spectral
technology works to find underutilized frequencies and efficiency. Therefore, Icasa encourages using capacity-
lets devices use them without interfering with existing enhancing digital techniques to promote efficient
users. In SA, the issue of clogged spectrum bands is spectrum use. Icasa said that all non-IMT services are
especially pertinent. In March 2022, Icasa achieved a to be cleared from the spectrum, except Aeronautical
milestone in finalizing a spectrum auction generating Mobile Flight Testing in the FAR147 area, as the band
R14bn for the government. will be strictly used for IMT purposes. Prospective
However, some of the spectrum sold is still occupied spectrum licensees must note that if their radio system
by broadcasters, which still need to transition from causes harmful interference to other radio stations
analogue to digital TV as part of the digital migration or systems, they will be responsible for modifying it.
process. The authority has invited players in the The spectrum will be coordinated according to the
sector to make written submissions on the technical Harmonized Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A)
information of stations operating in the earmarked Agreement to ensure no interference with the spectra
frequency ranges. of other Sub-Saharan countries.
(June 25, 2024) www.businesslive.co.za (May 17, 2024) www.icasa.org.za

The South Korean Science Ministry has announced it million) that was due last month. The ministry has since
will revoke the license of new mobile carrier, Stage X, for requested additional reasoning and compliance from
failing to meet the legal requirements to run its business. the company but the problems are still unresolved.
Stage X is the country’s fourth mobile operator (after SK Therefore, the ministry will launch proceedings to
South Telecom, LG U+, and KT), and is owned by a consortium revoke the company’s license before formally cancelling
it. “We concluded the capital raising claimed by Stage
led by tech giant Kakao Corp. and other unnamed
Korea partners. It has not met set requirements, which include X could not be trusted and that it would be difficult to
paying the paid-in capital of KRW 205 billion ($149 properly carry out the business if the capital specified

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