Page 99 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Press Release No. 133 / HM / KOMINFO / 04/2021 to two – while Smartfren bid IDR176.5 billion to win the
announce the results of the 2.3GHz radiofrequency other slot. As such, Telkomsel secured blocks A and
auction, completed between 19 and 21 April 2021. The C, while Smart Telecom won block B. In addition to the
ministry’s tender was to allocate frequencies in the above, KemKominfo confirmed that refarming would
range 2360MHz-2390MHz with a block size of 10MHz also involve broadband wireless access (BWA) operator
each. At the close of the process, MCI confirmed that Berca Hardayaperkasa (trading as hinet), which is also
Telkomsel bid IDR176.9 billion (USD12.2 million) per a user of the 2.3GHz frequency band.
block on the three lots of bandwidth offered – securing (October 6, 2021) commsupdate.com

Lithuanian telecoms watchdog the Communications (October 27, 2021) commsupdate.com
Regulatory Authority (Rysiu Reguliavimo Tarnyba, RRT)
has published plans for the upcoming sale of spectrum The Ministry of Transport and Communications, the
in the 700MHz band for 5G mobile services, set to take Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), other
Lithuania place in early 2022. The tender comprises the sale of one public sector institutions and telecoms operators have
2×10MHz block (713MHz-723MHz/768MHz-778MHz)
agreed on strategic actions for the implementation of
and two lots of 2×5MHz (723MHz-728MHz/778MHz- 5G mobile communications throughout the country.
783MHz and 728MHz-733MHz/783MHz-788MHz), Under the agreement, the development of 5G will be
with initial prices set at EUR5 million and EUR3 million carried out in the following stages: by 2022 5G should be
(USD5.8 million and USD3.5 million), respectively. The available in at least one of the major Lithuanian cities;
RRT notes, however, that participants will be restricting by 2023 connectivity should be available in the cities
to bidding on one spectrum block during the auction. of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys;
The concessions are valid for 20 years. Winning bidders and by 2025 5G coverage should be available in all
are subject to certain rollout and service provision and cities and across major international transport routes,
rollout obligations, including a requirement to launch including the Via Baltica motorway and the Rail Baltica
commercial 5G services in at least one of the country’s line, as well as other national roads, railways, airports
five largest cities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai and seaports. Ultimately, Lithuania is aiming to cover
and Panevezys) within six months and to all five by 95% of households with speeds of 100Mbps by 2025.
31 December 2023. Interested parties have until 25 (October 13, 2021) commsupdate.com
January 2022 to submit auction documents to the RRT.

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Internet services,” he said. He said this after conducting
(KKMM) wants telecommunication companies to a survey of the Kampung Mongkos telecommunication
jointly help the government in efforts to improve the tower site located about 110 kilometres from Kuching
country’s communication network, especially in rural city today.Annuar also said that his ministry would
Malaysia areas. continue to monitor construction projects as well as
the upgrading of towers in Sarawak under Phase One
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri
Annuar Musa said that apart from thinking of profits, of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) plan. “I
telecommunication companies should also become will conduct spot checks from time to time to obtain
equal service providers in urban, rural and interior areas. direct information in areas where the service is not very
“I want more commitment from telecommunication satisfactory. “The people can lodge complaints on the
companies because I often hear the laments of rural JENDELA map portal at jendela.my to give feedback
folks, meaning there are still gaps that need to be on services in their respective areas or apply for new
addressed. “I understand that rural areas are not services from the service providers,” he said. For the
so populated, so generally these companies do not record, the KKMM had allocated a total of RM4 billion
want to invest in these areas which are not profitable to implement the JENDELA plan in Sarawak, with 749
but telecommunication companies must look at the new towers set to be built and existing towers to be
approachability aspect to enable rural folks to get quality upgraded. (October 24, 2021) malaymail.com

The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has is effective from 1 December 2021. The provision of
issued a decision which makes the provision of a universal services is currently undertaken by national
4Mbps broadband internet connection part of the fixed and mobile operator GO.
country’s universal service requirements. The decision (October 26, 2021) commsupdate.com
Malta

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