Page 132 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

approval of the Federal Network Agency (FNA). At the the 3.6GHz band. While the 3.6GHz spectrum is already
FNA’s auction of 5G spectrum in the 2GHz and 3.6GHz available, the frequencies in the 2GHz band will not be
ranges, which ended in June 2019, 1&1 Drillisch useable until 1 January 2026.
acquired a total of two frequency blocks of 10MHz in (December 20, 2019) commsupdate.com
the 2GHz band and five frequency blocks of 10MHz in

In an attempt to draw a line under the long-running had wanted to charge it USD315 million for a 15-year
dispute over the price of 4G licenses in Haiti, President licensee, while Natcom – a 60/40 JV between Viettel
Jovenel Moise has reportedly set the price of the Group and the Haitian government – was only liable
concessions at USD300 million. Mr. Moise said that for a USD120 million licensee fee. TeleGeography
Haiti ‘When I arrived as the head of state, I heard that notes that Natcom launched a small-scale 4G network
there was a licensee to award. For this licensee, I
in September 2016 (continued operational status
heard several figures: USD10 million, USD20 million, unclear) and went on to take receipt of an additional
USD70 million dollars. I asked experts to do a study. 2×5MHz block of 1700MHz 4G spectrum in August
Today, licenses of this type cost nearly USD300 2018. Digicel has yet to switch on its LTE network, but
million.’ Back in November 2018 official National in a press release in May 2019 – to celebrate the 13th
Council of Telecommunications (Conseil National anniversary of its Haitian launch – CEO Maarten Boute
des Telecommunications, Conatel) documentation noted: ‘We are on the cusp of a new and very important
emerged proposing drastically different prices for investment phase to equip the country with a modern
concessions for the country’s two cellcos, Digicel and 4G LTE network.’
Natcom. Much to Digicel’s consternation, the regulator (December 17, 2019) Le Nouvelliste

Hong Kong’s latest 5G spectrum auction has raised a of the spectrum will take effect next month, with a
total of HKD665.1 million (USD84.9 million), with the validity period of 15 years. In the previous auctions, all
four incumbent operators all winning frequencies. four firms won 3.5GHz concessions, while only CMHK
The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) and HKT bid for 4.9GHz permits. In addition, HKT,
Hong Kong was offering 100MHz of spectrum in the 3.3GHz band CMHK and SmarTone each acquired 400MHz of 26GHz
frequencies in March this year; Hutchison 3 declined
following auctions for 3.5GHz and 4.9GHz licenses
last month and a 26GHz sale in March. Hutchison 3 to take part in the award process, saying that there
and HKT both agreed to pay spectrum utilization fees is sufficient spectrum available for 5G services in the
(SUFs) of HKD199.5 million for 30MHz blocks, while lower bands, while the higher range frequencies are
SmarTone and China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) offered also not suitable for providing indoor coverage.
HKD133.0 million for 20MHz packets. The assignment (November 6, 2019) telegeography.com

Hungarian regulator the National Media & DIGI – part of the Digi Communications group – is
Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) has reiterated well-established in Hungary as the second largest fixed
its decision to exclude DIGI from the bidding process broadband network operator behind Magyar Telekom,
for 5G mobile spectrum, although the announcement and it launched its 3G/4G mobile network in May this
Hungary on the watchdog’s website confirmed that the company year aiming at bundled services with an initial free
mobile services model, signing up 72,000 users by end-
may appeal in court. A preliminary ruling in September
barred Romanian-backed DIGI for failing to meet September. Furthermore, this month DIGI followed the
bidding requirement whilst naming registered bidders lead of larger rival Vodafone by announcing a 5G base
as the country’s three leading cellcos, Deutsche station pilot using existing 3.4GHz-3.8GHz spectrum.
Telekom-backed Magyar Telekom, UK-owned The NMHH’s latest disclosure said: ‘In the second
Vodafone Hungary and Telenor Hungary, controlled by instance, the chairman of the NMHH upheld the results
the Czech-backed PPF fund. The NMHH has declined of the formal investigation into the 5G frequency sale
to elaborate on the reasons for the decision so far. after Digi Communications NV appealed against the
The 5G (700MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz and 3600MHz) decision. The company may seek legal redress from
tender, announced in June, was originally expected to the courts.’
be completed by end-October, but has been delayed. (November 29, 2019) telegeography.com

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