Page 142 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

considered technically and economically feasible. quickly. In the roaming market the authority found only
ICASA said this would “preclude the indefinite reserving MTN and Vodacom to have substantial coverage in
of space on masts for the incumbent’s equipment” and many municipalities.
enable smaller operators to deploy infrastructure more (December 2, 2019) mobileworldlive.com

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has • Lot A – WOAN: 2×20MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
revealed it is aiming to make a further 2,640MHz of 1×20MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
bandwidth available for use in 5G networks by 2026. • Incumbent (assigned): 20MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz
Under what has been dubbed the ‘5G+ Spectrum Plan’, band
the regulator is reportedly looking to almost double • Lot B, C and D – industry: 2×10MHz in 700MHz band,
South Korea the amount of 5G-suitable spectrum in the country, 50MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
up from the current 2,680MHz that has already been • Possible future assignment – industry: 2×10MHz
allocated. It is understood that the thinking behind (FDD) in 800MHz band
the plan is to ensure that there is enough bandwidth Option 3
to cater for an expected explosion in traffic over 5G • Lot A – WOAN: 2×20MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
networks, while also allowing for the use of spectrum 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
by new industries that are expected to be 5G-based. • Lot B, C and D – industry: 2×10MHz in 700MHz band,
As it stands, the MSIT has yet to announce details of 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
exactly what frequencies it will offered, nor has it laid • Lot E – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
out a timeline for deployment. It has said though, that 10MHz in 2600MHz band
it will discuss regulations for strategic businesses and • In-band migration: 20MHz in 2600MHz band
the private sector before announcing a finalized plan (incumbent)
next month. (November 28, 2019) ZDNet Option 4
• Lot A – WOAN: 2×20MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
The telecoms regulator ICASA has published an 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
Information Memorandum setting out the options • Lot B, C and D – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz
for licensing high-demand 4G and 5G spectrum in band, 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
the country, with all interested parties given until 31 • Possible future assignment: 2×10MHz (FDD) in
January 2020 to submit their comments. ICASA plans 700MHz band, 10MHz in 2600MHz band
to license the 700MHz and 800MHz bands (‘digital • Option 5
dividend’ frequencies, which are currently occupied • Lot A – WOAN, 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
by analogue television broadcasters), alongside 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band, 40MHz (TDD) in
spectrum in the 2300MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz 2600MHz band
bands. Specifically, ICASA plans to award 60MHz • Lot B – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
(2×30MHz) in the 700MHz band, 60MHz (2×30MHz) 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
in the 800MHz band, 40MHz in the 2300MHz band, • Lot C and D – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 700MHz
170MHz in the 2600MHz band and 116MHz in the band, 40MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band
3500MHz band. The spectrum will be awarded on a • Lot E – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 800MHz band,
national basis, and the reserve price for each lot will be 10MHz in 2600MHz band
different (scheduled to be determined by ICASA after • In-band migration: 20MHz in 2600MHz band
consultation with the industry); frequency spectrum (incumbent)
caps will also be introduced following the consultation. Regarding the 2300MHz band, ICASA is planning to
The options regarding the 700MHz, 800MHz and award 60MHz to the incumbent, with four 10MHz
2600MHz spectrum on offer are as follows: blocks to be offered to other bidders. In the 3500MHz
Option 1 band, 84MHz will be reserved for the incumbent, while
• Lot A – to be reserved for the new wholesale open- eleven 10MHz ranges, one 2MHz slice and one 4MHz
access network (WOAN): 2×25MHz (FDD) in 800MHz block will also be put on sale. Successful bidders
band, 2×20MHz (FDD) in 2600MHz band will be required to provide data services across the
• Incumbent (assigned): 20MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz country with an average down/upload speeds of
band 30Mbps/15Mbps by 2025; provide open access to a
• Lot B, C and D – industry: 2×10MHz (FDD) in 700MHz minimum of three mobile virtual network operators
band, 2×10MHz (FDD) in 2600MHz band (MVNOs); and buy a minimum of 30% of national
• Lot E – industry: 2×20MHz (TDD) in 2600MHz band capacity from the WOAN for a period of at least five
Option 2 years. (November 4, 2019) telegeography.com

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