Page 81 - SAMENA Trends - September 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

French media regulator the CSA has launched a new that could impact on thematic channels, closes. The
public consultation on the development of interactive planned ‘cable-satellite’ decree outlines obligations
services in the country’s digital-terrestrial TV platform. that must be undertaken by channels distributed
The consultation will cover services that can be by cable and satellite, and comes alongside parallel
France delivered to TVs via an internet connection, allows legislation covering SVOD services and DTT. The new
users to access functionality that can be considered
rules are likely to place additional burdens on thematic
complementary to linear DTT channels, such as video- channels to finance French and European production,
on-demand. The CSA said that the consultation was obliging them to devote 16% of revenues to creation.
followed on from authorizations that took place in the Groups representing French thematic channels are
spring, which were intended to kick off tests of the protesting against what they see as an additional blow
first services. The regulator is seeking contributions on top of downward pressure on their revenues from
from interested parties in the various categories of telecom operators and other distributors, the impact
interactive services that could be authorized, and of the pandemic and competition from streaming
views on the requirements and resources in terms services. Thematic channels group ACCeS, which has
of frequencies and channel numbers that might be just added new members Histoire TV and TV Breizh
required to bring projects to realization. The CSA’s from TF1 Group, told financial daily Les Echos that the
consultation is opening as another one, launched by legislation risked sacrificing thematic channels for the
the country’s culture ministry on planned legislation sake of uniformity of rules. (September 19, 2021) digitaltveurope.com

Germany's federal cybersecurity watchdog, the BSI, is probe. Xiaomi emerged as the top smartphone vendor
conducting a technical examination of a mobile phone in Europe for the first time in the second quarter of 2021,
manufactured by China's Xiaomi Corp, a spokesperson shipping a record 12.7 million units there, research firm
for the interior ministry told Reuters on Wednesday. Strategy Analytics said. Along with other Chinese rivals
Germany The spokesperson did not provide further details on on the Android operating system, Xiaomi has enjoyed
a surge in market share following the enforcement
what kind of examination the agency was carrying
out. Lithanua's state cybersecurity body said last week of U.S. sanctions against Huawei Technologies Co
that Xiaomi phones had a built-in ability to detect and Ltd, which crippled its once-dominant smartphone
censor terms such as "Free Tibet", "Long live Taiwan division. Germany has had security concerns about
independence" or "democracy movement". Xiaomi using technology from Chinese companies such as
said it was engaging a third-party expert to assess the Huawei in its 5G network rollout after U.S. calls for
allegations by Lithuania that its smartphones carry banning the company, saying its equipment could be
built-in censorship capabilities. The company was used to support Chinese state spying.
not immediately available for comment on the German (September 29, 2021) zawya.com

The Minister of Communications and Digitalization, the aims of the registration campaign, Mrs. Owusu-
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has announced that the delayed Ekuful commented: ‘SIM registration, when undertaken
national SIM card re-registration exercise will begin correctly as we intend to do, will reduce or eliminate
on 1 October and run until 31 March 2022, after which fraudulent and criminal activities, help authorities
Ghana date all unregistered SIMs will be blocked. Speaking ascertain the accurate number of valid and accurate
SIMs on the networks, enable operators to build better
at a press briefing, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful explained all
existing mobile network subscribers will be required demographics of their customer base and help them
to provide their name, date of birth, residential develop products and services to suit the various
address – or business address and Certificate of groupings.’ The minister also argued the initiative will
Incorporation in the case of a company – and an provide the National Communications Authority (NCA)
identification document. Only the National Identity with more accurate data to improve regulation of the
Card (Ghana Card) issued to an individual shall be used industry, while greater confidence in the telecoms
for registration of SIM cards held by citizens, foreign sector will enhance economic growth through the
residents and foreigners staying in Ghana for more adoption of e-government services and other private
than 90 days. In the case of foreigners staying for less mobile-based digital solutions. ‘It will minimize mobile
than 90 days, a valid passport or other travel document money fraud and support financial inclusion across the
is required. Individuals will be permitted to register vulnerable sectors,’ the Minister added.
a total number of ten SIM cards across all networks, (September 6, 2021) commsupdate.com
although foreigners will be limited to three. Outlining

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