Page 129 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

selection process. The regulator notes that, in order handled efficiently’.
to fulfil one of the main objectives of the auction – to (December 18, 2019) commsupdate.com
deepen competition on the electronic communications
market – it is reserving a 2×10MHz block of spectrum The Czech Senate has reportedly passed an amendment
at 700MHz for a new operator(s). Further, newcomer(s) to the country’s telecoms law that should – if signed
will be allowed to compete for another 5MHz, but if into law by President Milos Zeman – make it easier
none of the new entrants in the first auction round for people to switch service provider. The proposed
show interest in this reserved block, it will open it up changes, which seek a reduction in the financial
and offer it to all auction participants. However, one penalties levied on users for switching provider and
domestic operator – Nordic Telecom – argued that a cut in the time allowed to switch their number,
the amount of frequency for newcomers should be could enter into law from April 2020. With Czechia’s
higher, and also said the amount of time required for incumbent operators understood to be anticipating the
covering the country should be shortened to ensure changes, it is understood the fine for early termination
the auction is for serious bidders. Nordic Telecom has will be slashed to 5% of the outstanding contract cost
more than 100,000 customers, offering high speed (from 20%), while the target for switching provider will
wireless internet through its network and is aiming to be reduced from ten days to just two. Further, people on
use the auction to enter the mobile sector. Operators in a fixed line contract will no longer have to pay a penalty
the 5G auction will have to commit to giving coverage after three months of signing up, while to support the
to cities without high speed internet, reaching 95% change the government is planning to introduce new
within three years. Further, transportation corridors ‘tools’ to make it easier for consumers to decide which
and 95% of towns and cities with populations of more providers are offering the best deals. The amendment to
than 50,000 should be covered by 2025. Concurrently, the law will also usher in sanctions for failure to comply
in the 3.5GHz band the CTU aims to set ‘a new spectral with the European regulation on the price of calls and
limit for the new operator compared to the existing text messages abroad within the European Union, the
operators’. Additional Ts&Cs include the rule that any report read, noting that an EC report published in 2018
existing operators participating in the 700MHz band lambasted Czechia for having some of the highest
auction will assume a national roaming commitment mobile charges anywhere in Europe – with all tariff
(valid for six years), and what the watchdog terms plans being more than the EU average.
‘development criteria that ensure that frequencies are (November 11, 2019) expats.cz

The Ecuadorian government has announced plans to to access the internet.
make mobile and internet connectivity more affordable (November 29, 2019) El Telegrafo
in rural areas of the country, after agreeing a deal with
Claro, Movistar and CNT. Speaking at a press event, The Minister for Telecommunications & Information
Ecuador Telecoms Minister Andres Michelena explained the Society, Andres Michelena Ayala, has confirmed that
price of internet access will be reduced by around 55%, the sale of spectrum in the 700MHz, 1700MHz, 2.5GHz
to USD11 a month in December and USD9.50 from and 3.GHz frequency bands will not take place before
March 2020. The program aims to ensure internet 2020. The government had originally intended to
access is available across 98% of the country’s territory allocate 700MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum in November
by increasing 4G network coverage and deploying 1,450 2019 in an effort to increase 4G coverage from 50% to
free Wi-Fi hotspots. The telcos plan to introduce mobile 80% by 2021, in line with the ‘Ecuador Digital’ strategy
phone plans costing as little as USD1 a month and pre- unveiled in May. The minister highlighted that Ecuador
paid internet packages priced from USD5 for a 3MB is second only to Costa Rica in Latin America in terms
data allowance. They will also work together to build of available spectrum, and that next year’s allocation
shared mobile sites in areas with no internet access in would increase the amount in use from 26% to 68%.
order to provide cheaper connectivity. The government The government hopes the additional frequencies will
hopes the plan, which is subject to approval of its draft enable 5G services to be launched commercially by
budget, will enable an additional 127,000 households 2022. (November 19, 2019) TeleSemana

The Electricity and Telecommunications of 2×5MHz, the frequencies on offer include 90MHz
Superintendency (Superintendencia General de in the 1710MHz-1755MHz/2110MHz-2155MHz
Electricidad y Telecom, SIGET) has announced the (AWS) range and a further 30MHz in the 1755MHz-
results of the long-delayed auction of 120MHz of 1770MHz/2155MHz-2170MHz (Extended AWS) band.
El Salvador mobile spectrum in the 1700MHz/2100MHz (AWS Two incumbent mobile operators secured spectrum in
the process, with Telemovil (Tigo) acquiring five blocks
and Extended AWS) bands. Divided into twelve lots
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