Page 98 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

technical framework instruments will revoke the current technical framework instrument, saying that, where
ones ‘so as to avoid duplication’. Meanwhile, the ACMA required, it will work with spectrum licensees to seek
also notes that spectrum licenses in some bands their agreement to make relevant amendments to their
will need to be amended to incorporate any remade concessions. (November 4, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

Telecoms regulator the Belgian Institute for Postal has agreed that Orange can switch to the 905MHz-
Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has granted 915MHz/950MHz-960MHz frequency range and
Orange Belgium and Proximus permission to reorganize Proximus 895MHz-905MHz/940MHz-950MHz with
their frequency allocations in the 900MHz band, before effect from 21 November 2022. During the transition
Belgium new user rights obtained in this summer’s multi-band period the amount of spectrum used by Orange and
spectrum auction officially enter force on 1 January Proximus on each base transceiver station (BTS) must
2023. The regulator had extended the operators’ not exceed 2×11.6MHz and 2×12.5MHz, respectively.
existing 2G and 3G licenses, originally due to expire in The regulator noted the shift frees up the 885MHz-
March 2021, until the end of the year while it finalized 890MHz/930MHz-935MHz range for use by new
details of the new permits. Following consultation with entrant Citymesh Mobile.
the country’s regional regulatory authorities, the BIPT (November 17, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

A total of twelve regional 850MHz licenses held for an amendment to Statutory Instrument No. 110,
by Telefonica Brasil (Vivo) have been extended titled ‘Telecommunications (Licensing Classification,
until 29 November 2028. As per the 11 November Authorization and Fee Structure Amendment
announcement in the Official Gazette, the Band A Regulations 2021)’, to amend and clarify various
Belize licenses comprise 2×11MHz of spectrum in the aspects of the licensing process. The new regulations
824MHz-835MHz/869MHz-880MHz band, alongside relate to the classification of licenses, services provided
2×1.5MHz at 845MHz-846.5MHz/890MHz-891.5MHz. under various licenses, applicable license fees and
The concessions cover Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, a clarification of the services which can be provided
Rio Grande do Sul, Goias, Tocantins, Roraima, Acre, Mato under a class license. While specific details regarding
Grosso do Sul, Espirito Santo, Sergipe and Mato Grosso, the new licensing regime have not yet been made
although there are a handful of geographic restrictions available, the government press office explained: ‘These
in some regions. The licenses were scheduled to expire amendments would bring about much-needed clarity
between December 2022 and September 2024. to the regulations, improve the administration by the
(November 15, 2022) www.commsupdate.com Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of license holders
and update the fees payable under the regulations to be
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister John Briceno in line with current industry costs.’
on 27 October, the Belizean cabinet gave its approval (November 3, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

The National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia cautioned that commercial launches in those locations
Nacional de Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) expects a will depend on the respective expansion strategies of
total of 420 municipalities to be approved to utilize national mobile operators Claro, Vivo and TIM Brasil.
the 3.5GHz band for 5G services from 1 January 2023. Since 6 October all 26 state capitals – and federal
Brazil TeleTime notes that this figure represents a notable capital Brasilia – have been approved for Standalone
(SA) 5G connectivity, with the cities receiving the green-
drop from the initial projection of 480 towns and cities.
Moises Moreira, head of the government’s Group for the light on a rolling basis. Claro, Vivo and TIM currently
Implementation of Solutions for Interference Problems operate 5G services in all locations, thus fulfilling their
(Grupo de Acompanhamento da Implantacao das licensing obligations.
Solucoes para os Problemas de Interferencia, GAISPI), (November 18, 2022) www.commsupdate.com

Federal Court proceedings have been instituted by the upload speeds to residential broadband customers
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission signed up to its budget brand, Belong. In a press
(ACCC) against Telstra, relating to allegations that the release regarding the matter, the regulator claimed that
telco made ‘false’ or ‘misleading’ representations about between October and November 2020 Telstra migrated
Canada
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