Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND

THE SAMENA REGION

The Australian government is looking to impose standard telephone service on reasonable request to
more rigorous reporting rules on Telstra with a view premises anywhere in Australia. With this being both
to improving transparency in the delivery of voice a legislative and contractual obligation, the fixed line
services in regional and remote areas. In a press incumbent is obligated to provide a reliable telephone
Australia release regarding the matter, Minister for Regional service and provide connections and repair faults
Communications, Bridget McKenzie, said she was within a reasonable time. Under the proposed new
concerned about community perceptions that services reporting rules Telstra would need to publicly report on
in regional and remote Australia were not being its performance at the local exchange level against key
maintained, noting: ‘Regional and remote consumers indicators, including service availability, connection
place a high priority on access to reliable voice services, timeframes, faults and outages, repair timeframes,
and the government is now proposing changes so appointment timeframes, complaints, and customer
that more detailed and up to date information will be contact handling. Comments on the proposals have
available to the community.’ As per Australia’s Universal been invited by a deadline of 8 November 2021.
Service Obligation (USO), Telstra must provide a fixed (October 13, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Minister of Telecoms, Petra de Sutter, has (MNO) has been reduced, allowing B2B providers
announced the Federal Council of Ministers has to bid for a share of the available frequencies. The
approved the royal decrees which pave the way for an minister believes this addresses concerns surrounding
auction of 5G spectrum, which is now expected to take the impact of a new entrant, such as the effect on
Belgium place in Q2 2022. Explaining the final auction terms investment, jobs and radiation levels, while also
take into account the concerns expressed within the creating additional competition to lower costs and
Concertation Committee (a multilateral body of federal encourage innovation. The text will now be submitted to
and regional government ministers), a complementary a vote in the Concertation Committee on 24 November.
study on the potential impact of a fourth mobile De Sutter will then work with regulator the Belgian
operator, a public consultation and the opinion of the Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications
Council of State, Minister De Sutter said the process (BIPT) to organize the auction planned for 2Q 2022.
is now ‘in the home stretch’. The spectrum previously (October 22, 2021) commsupdate.com
reserved for a potential fourth mobile network operator

The National Telecommunications Agency (Agencia national spectrum will be divided into regional blocks,
Nacional de Telecomunicacoes, ANATEL) has confirmed however. (October 30, 2021) commsupdate.com
that a total of 15 companies have submitted bids for its
5G auction. All relevant paperwork was filed by the 27 The national telecommunications agency ANATEL has
Brazil October deadline. Going forward, the ‘price proposals’ approved the framework authorizing using a TV White
will be analyzed by the Special Bidding Commission
Area (TVWS). The brand new TVWS framework was
(Comissao Especial de Licitacao, CEL) on 4 November. authorized on September 30th and can function as a
The 15 bidders are as follows: Algar Telecom, Brasil versatile solution to make environment-friendly use of
Digital Telecomunicacoes, Brisanet, Claro Brasil, spectrum whereas defending present and incumbent
Cloud2u, Consorcio 5G Sul, Fly Link, Mega Net, Neko customers from interference. As global internet usage
Servicos, NK 108, Sercomtel Telecomunicacoes, continues to rise, this decision marks a significant step
Telefonica Brasil, TIM Brasil, VDF Tecnologia and towards addressing capacity demands in unserved, or
Winity Telecom. The 5G auction includes frequencies underserved regions. The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz bands, as well (DSA) complimented ANATEL on the decision and said it
as 26GHz millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. All "marks a significant step towards addressing capacity
spectrum bands will be divided into national and demands in unserved, or underserved regions". “The
regional blocks – apart from the 2.3GHz band, which COVID-19 crisis has added additional significance
will be solely available on a regional basis. Any unsold to this decision,” says Martha Suarez, President of

95 OCTOBER 2021