Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

evaluation process that recommended UAE-based ICA, that it will pursue regulatory reforms ‘to correct the
based on the offer they put forward. The offer includes a structural imbalance in the telecommunications industry
capital injection to fund Telkom’s critical infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders. In order to complete
and the overall upgrade of the company’s capabilities, the process of onboarding ICA, the government will
and will also settle some of the outstanding liabilities of work with Helios to transfer the 60% shareholding
the company. For its part, the government, through the directly to ICA; this process will require the rescinding
National Treasury, said it will meet its obligations as a of the transaction documents already signed between
minority shareholder and as a key consumer of services the government and Helios, among other necessary
offered by the company. Further, the government said actions. (October 5, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Telecoms watchdog the Public Utilities Commission both companies submitting bids of EUR275,000. The
(SPRK) has confirmed the results of last month’s licenses are valid for 20 years, from 1 January 2024
auction for 5G-suitable spectrum in the 3750MHz- to 31 December 2043. The tender was completed in
3800MHz range, and awarded the rights to Tele2 October, but the results of such auctions are subject to
Latvia Latvia and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT). LMT was a final review and approval by the SPRK before being
awarded the frequencies at 3750MHz-3775MHz whilst made public.
Tele2 claimed the 3775MHz-3800MHz block, with (November 10, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has although the current balance now stands at MWK698.29
announced that it has given Access Communications million. In addition, MACRA states that a second
Limited (ACL) a deadline of 31 December 2023 to pay company – Afrimax – has been given a deadline of
its outstanding license fees or face the revocation of 27 December 2023 to pay off its debt of MWK196.27
Malawi its concession. The fixed and mobile operator initially million or face the withdrawal of its operating license.
owed the regulator MWK703.85 million (USD615,800), (November 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has although the current balance now stands at MWK698.29
announced that it has given Access Communications million. In addition, MACRA states that a second
Limited (ACL) a deadline of 31 December 2023 to pay company – Afrimax – has been given a deadline of
its outstanding license fees or face the revocation of 27 December 2023 to pay off its debt of MWK196.27
Malta its concession. The fixed and mobile operator initially million or face the withdrawal of its operating license.
owed the regulator MWK703.85 million (USD615,800), (November 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Mauritania’s three mobile network operators (MNOs) cities for the 3G data test, 13 cities for the 4G data test,
are once again facing penalties for failing to meet eleven main roads
network Quality of Service (QoS) thresholds. The Chinguitel: 22 cities and towns for the voice test, 17
country’s Regulatory Authority (Autorite de Regulation, cities for the 3G data test, nine cities for the 4G data
Mauritania ARE) carried out monitoring between 1 August and 7 test, nine main roads.
The trio of operators have been given 30 days to comply
September and has reported failings for Mattel, Moov
Mauritel and Chinguitel as follows: with QoS commitments in the noted areas or they could
Mattel: 29 cities and towns for the voice test, 16 cities face fines. One local press report says the fines could
for the 3G data test, eleven cities for the 4G data test, be the highest ever handed out by the regulator.
ten main roads (October 3, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
Moov Mauritel: 33 cities and towns for the voice test, 20

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