Page 106 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s new Prime Minister, has the 5G rollout for the benefit of the nation.’ In related
announced that his administration will launch a review news, DNB and Ericsson claim to have achieved a
of the country’s state-owned 5G network strategy. With world record distance for gigabit speeds over the
Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) having been set up under former’s 5G network. A test conducted using 28GHz
Malaysia the previous government to oversee the rollout of the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum was reported
country’s 5G infrastructure, the new PM confirmed that
to have achieved a peak throughput of 1Gbps at a
the matter would be reassessed amid concerns there record distance of 11.18km from a radio antenna in
had been ‘no proper tender process’ in the appointing Butterworth, Penang to a point off the island. Only last
of Ericsson as DNB’s network development partner. week DNB confirmed that its 5G network now covers
‘It needs to be reviewed because it was not done in a ‘approximately 38% of populated areas nationwide’,
transparent manner,’ Anwar said. In response to the including key industrial areas across the Klang Valley,
development, DNB said it would cooperate with the Penang and Johor. Other coverage areas include parts
government’s review and was keen to stress that the of Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Perak, Kelantan, as well as
award of the contract to Ericsson had been conducted Sabah and Sarawak. Looking ahead, DNB has claimed it
transparently. A statement issued by the wholesale is on track to extend its network footprint to cover 80%
operator read: ‘DNB hopes the review… will clear the of the Malaysian population by 2024.
air and enable full execution and implementation of (December 6, 2022) www. reuters.com

Telecoms watchdog the Agency for Electronic 1,460MHz of spectrum in the three bands as follows:
Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) has seven blocks of 2×5MHz spectrum with an opening price
announced that three operators – Crnogorski of EUR690,000 (USD727,191) and two lots of unpaired
Telekom, MTEL and One Montenegro – have qualified 5MHz frequencies in the 700MHz band (EUR70,000);
Montenegro to participate in the auction to allocate spectrum in 38 blocks of 10MHz spectrum in the 3.6GHz band
the 700MHz (694MHz-790MHz), 3.6GHz (3400MHz-
(EUR95,000); and five lots of 200MHz spectrum in the
3800MHz) and 26GHz (24.25GHz-27.5GHz) bands for 26GHz band (EUR100,000). All frequencies will be valid
public mobile networks, which will be staged between for 15 years from the date of approval.
19 and 23 December. EKIP aims to award a total of (December 5, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The Ministry of Transport and Communications checked against the National Database and SIMs with
(MOTC) has issued a notification to inform users of a discrepancies would be disconnected. Users have until
planned SIM checking scheme. The ministry advised 31 January 2023 to make any necessary corrections.
mobile users to ensure that the name registered to (December 6, 2022) www.commsupdate.com
Myanmar their SIM was correct, as this information would be

The Chief Executive of the Communications Regulatory highlighted that the country continues to suffer from
Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Emilia Nghikembua, has a lack of digital skills and high prices for mobile data
called for more private sector investment to improve and smartphones, as evidenced by the fact that only
telecom network coverage, particularly 4G, in the 66% of the 2.9 million mobile subscriptions at end-
Namibia country. In a statement following the launch of the 2021 accessed mobile data services – up from 61%
in 2016. To address these concerns, the CRAN plans
watchdog’s Telecommunications Market Report for
2021, which revealed that Namibia’s 4G population to implement measures to promote technological
coverage stood at 85% last year, the executive stressed innovation and improve quality of service, including
improved connectivity is particularly necessary in the release of additional spectrum to ensure costs for
underserved communities such as the Kunene, Oshikoto, end users are affordable. Nghikembua revealed the
Kavango West, Zambezi, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and regulator is preparing to issue 5G spectrum in March
Hardap regions. According to the report, only seven of 2023, which will be accompanied by a consumer
the country’s 14 regions were covered by 4G networks, awareness campaign to address misconceptions and
while the Kunene, Kavango West and Omaheke regions misinformation about the technology.
had less than 50% 4G population coverage. It also (December 14, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

106 NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2022