Page 79 - SAMENA Trends - September 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

an effect transformational for the country by allowing • WOM – 2×10MHz in the 700MHz band, 2×15MHz in
the digitization of different processes such as remote the 1700MHz band, 50MHz in the 3500MHz band
medicine, smart cities, intelligent transportation, and 400MHz in the 26GHz band
among many others.’ As noted by TeleGeography’s • Entel – 50MHz in the 3500MHz band and 400MHz in
GlobalComms Database, Subtel awarded spectrum for the 26GHz band
5G services via a series of auctions at the start of the • Movistar – 50MHz in the 3500MHz band
year, through which operators secured spectrum as • Claro – 400MHz in the 26GHz band.
follows: (September 28, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU), plans per MB transferred in the period 2015 to 2020 was
to flex its muscles and impose an obligation on always higher or at least equal to the retail price’. It
incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) O2, reported that in 2020, the average retail price of 1MB
T-Mobile and Vodafone to allow MVNOs access to their of data stood at approximately CZK0.05 (USD0.002),
Czech Republic wholesale mobile services at a regulated price amid while the average wholesale price was CZK0.09 (both
concerns that there is still limited competition in the
prices excluding VAT), making it difficult for MVNOs
overall mobile market. It is understood the regulation to operate profitably and offer their customers similar
would apply after confirmation of notification by the prices for data bundles as can be offered by the big
European Commission – expected to be completed by three MNOs. In response, Vodafone accused the CTU
mid-2022. A CTU spokesperson is quoted as saying: of not respecting the European Commission decision
‘The CTU found the market for wholesale access to from July 2019 when it refused to regulate the mobile
mobile services suitable for ex-ante regulation and market in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, critics argue
found companies with common significant market that despite talking tough, the regulator has again
power’. The regulator recently completed an analysis ignored the elephant in the room, namely the sharing
of the mobile data market and found ‘a number of of mobile networks between O2 (incl. CETIN) and
failures’, not least that the ‘wholesale price of data T-Mobile. (September 27, 2021) Daily The Prague Morning

The government of Djibouti has approved a draft law deadline for bidders to express an interest in purchasing
outlining the terms and conditions for the legal sale a 40% stake in the country’s incumbent fixed and mobile
of a partial stake in the country’s state-owned fixed operator. In documents published at the time, the
and mobile operator Djibouti Telecom to a ‘first-rate government set a deadline of 16 September 2021 for
Djibouti strategic partner’. In a statement, the government expressions of interest (EoI), but also warned would-be
suitors that it is not averse to introducing competition
stated that opening up the PTO’s share capital is a
sign of its determination ‘to implement a proactive in the near future. In the statement it confirmed: ‘The
policy to modernize the country’s economy, increase state of Djibouti does not consider the monopoly as
global competitiveness, and optimize the governance an intangible dogma … In the context of a development
and management of state-owned enterprises (SOE)’. that has been experienced by the vast majority of
The government will now seek to appoint international African and emerging countries, the company must
advisors to oversee the process which is expected to prepare to face competition from new entrants and the
go ahead later in the year. As previously reported by liberalization of the sector, particularly in the cell phone
CommsUpdate, last month Djibouti set a six-week sector.’ (September 7, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Ministry of Telecommunications and telecoms minister Vianna Maino said the agreement
Information Society (Mintel) and the Inter-American would not only deliver improved connectivity but
Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) have also provide wider social benefits, such as education,
signed a memorandum of understanding to extend health, training and entrepreneurship. The minister
Ecuador connectivity in the country. Under the agreement, also highlighted the progress made during the first 120
CITEL – a body of the Organization of American days of President Lasso’s administration, including the
States – will provide technical advice to connect expansion of mobile connectivity to 14 rural parishes,
rural and inaccessible areas under Ecuador’s Digital the activation of 4G mobile services in 285 locations
Agenda strategy to reduce the digital divide. Speaking and the deployment of 887 free Wi-Fi access points
during the online signing ceremony on 21 September, nationwide. (September 29, 2021) commsupdate.com

79 SEPTEMBER 2021