Page 126 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

apply to internet video services (with the exception of within six months of the OTS amendment coming into
videos in the public interest), which could overload the force, and operators would be required to submit annual
networks. An implementation plan should be submitted progress reports. (November 2, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Seychelles Office of the President announced the by the Department of Information Communications
appointment of the board of the country’s new telecoms Technology (DICT) in the telecommunications and
regulator, the Seychelles Communications Regulatory broadcasting sectors, whilst the DICT retains the ‘policy
Authority (SCRA). A press release states that the portfolio responsibility’ for these sectors. The seven
Seychelles SCRA takes responsibility for the implementation and SCRA board members have been appointed for a three-
enforcement of the Communications Act 2023 and
year period.
assumes the regulatory functions carried out thus far (November 9, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

The National Communications Commission (NCC) offer ‘reasonable’ prices for their services and whether
has revealed plans to set up a special task force which there are any disruptions to service stemming from
will monitor the market in the wake of two high profile customers needing to change SIM cards. NCC Vice
planned mergers. With the authorities having given Chairman Wong Po-tsung was cited as saying: ‘The
Taiwan the necessary approvals for the proposed tie-up of synergy produced through telecom mergers should help
Taiwan Mobile Company and Taiwan Star, the merger
enhance the quality of telecom services available to
is now expected to complete next week, while Asia customers … We hope that subscribers of the two new
Pacific Telecom (APT) and Far EasTone are expected telecom companies would notice significant differences
to conclude their amalgamation on 15 December. It is in terms of internet speed and telecom service coverage
understood that in the wake of these deals completing before the end of January, otherwise [the operators] will
the task force will monitor whether the surviving be at the receiving end of subscribers’ fury.’
companies – Taiwan Mobile and FET – continue to (November 23, 2023) The Taipei Times

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications considered a core asset for 5G. More than 60 countries
Commission (NBTC) would include 3.5GHz spectrum have assigned parts of the 3.5GHz range for their 5G
in a long-term management strategy, with access network deployments. NBTC auctioned 5G spectrum
expected in 2026. The newspaper stated the band is in the 700MHz, 2.6GHz and 26GHz bands in 2020. In
Thailand likely to form part of an NBTC roadmap also covering September, Ericsson head of Thailand Igor Maurell
urged the government to allocate C-Band spectrum and
the 850MHz, 2.1GHz and 2.5GHz bands, which is
expected to be finalized in early 2024. It stated Thailand hold an auction by 2025.
has 400MHz of unallocated 3.5GHz spectrum, which is (November 8, 2023) www.mobileworldlive.com

Uganda has signed an agreement with China to use Uganda secured a UGX1.8 trillion (USD474 million) loan
Chinese tech firms to improve connectivity in the African from the World Bank to support its digital transformation
country. A report from Ecofin says ICT Minister Chris program. According to the latest government statistics,
Baryomunsi signed the deal at a China-Africa digital 41% of Uganda’s population still has no access to the
Uganda cooperation forum earlier this month. In March this year internet. (October 31, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has begun consulting operate emergency communication satellite terminals
on plans to release more spectrum in the 1.4GHz on ships at and near ports, and aircraft at and above
band. According to the watchdog, with the 1492MHz- airports. As such, use of the 1492MHz-1517MHz block
1517MHz frequency block having been identified for mobile services is likely to cause interference to
United for mobile use, it is now considering how to make the receivers in these satellite terminals. As a result,
Ofcom is seeking views on a technical analysis it
it available. Ofcom notes that the adjacent block of
Kingdom spectrum in the 1.5GHz band is currently used to has conducted to estimate the likely extent of such

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