Page 85 - SAMENA Trends - September 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Fixed broadband and mobile subscriptions in Malta The Communications Authority (MCA) has announced
recorded growth in the year to 30 June 2021. The that Mob5G.net Malta has requested an assignment of
latest quarterly report from the Malta Communications spectrum in the 1800MHz and 2.5GHz bands following
Authority (MCA) highlights a 4.2% annual rise in cellular a call for expressions of interest. The regulator will
Malta subscriptions to 642,060, including a 7.8% increase now assess whether the firm meets the qualification
criteria before deciding on any spectrum allocation.
in contract users to 267,033. The fixed broadband
segment saw customer numbers climb 4.3% in twelve Six paired 5MHz channels in the 1800MHz band and
months to 217,862 at end-June 2021, with fiber-to-the- five unpaired 5MHz channels at 2.5GHz are currently
home (FTTH) subscriptions jumping 30.4% to 41,292 unassigned. Earlier this year Mob5G.net was granted
and DOCSIS 3.1 cable connections up 4.3% at 105,496. temporary trial licenses in the same frequency ranges.
Fixed voice subscriptions were stable year-on-year at Malta’s wireless market is home to three players: Epic,
258,790, with 82.2% of voice lines now taken as part of GO and Melita.
a bundle with other services, up from 78.3% as of June (September 1, 2021) commsupdate.com
2020. (September 21, 2021) commsupdate.com

The telecommunications regulator IFT said that it had The Raine Group, is expected to close this year. The deal
authorized the plan for U.S.-based Spanish-language is subject to regulatory approvals in the United States
broadcaster Univision to acquire the content business and Mexico, as well as Televisa shareholder approval. A
of Mexico's Grupo Televisa in a deal to create a new spokesperson for Televisa and a media representative
Mexico company. The two companies in April announced a for Univision both declined to comment. Televisa-
plan to create a new firm called Televisa-Univision, Univision is planning to launch a global streaming
which will feature Spanish-language video content platform to serve Spanish speakers, which will take
from both broadcasters, including soap operas known on established rivals including Netflix Inc (NFLX.O)
as telenovelas, sports and movies. The IFT said in a and Disney Plus (DIS.N). The streaming servicewill
statement its analysis did not find anti-competitive first launch in the United States and Mexico before
effects. "No anti-competitive effects derived from the expanding elsewhere in Latin America and Europe,
transaction are expected in these coinciding activities company officials said. Televisa has previously said
of Univision Holdings and Grupo Televisa, largely due it will hold a 45% equity stake in Televisa-Univision. It
to the marginal participation of Univision Holdings will also continue to own and operate izzi Telecom, Sky
in Mexico," the IFT said. The transaction, partially Mexico, and other businesses, as well as its main real
financed by a $1 billion Series C preferred investment estate production facilities, the broadcasting licenses
led by the SoftBank (9984.T) Latin American Fund, with and transmission infrastructure in Mexico.
participation from ForgeLight, Google (GOOGL.O) and (September 15, 2021) reuters.com

The Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) Ulaanbaatar. A list of licensees published by the CRC
has awarded the country’s fifth mobile license to shows IN Mobile Network’s concession expiring on 10
ONDO (registered as IN Mobile Network), which plans September 2031. Mongolia’s mobile sector is currently
to operate under the SuperNet brand. The firm plans home to four players: MobiCom, Unitel, Skytel and
Mongolia to deploy 4G, 5G and IoT networks, according to GMobile.
its new website, with an initial focus on the capital (September 24, 2021) commsupdate.com

The Netherlands’ State Secretary for Economic Affairs Nu.nl cites Ms. Keijzer’s letter to parliament as saying
Mona Keijzer has told the House of Representatives that Inmarsat has indicated its willingness to work
that the planned auction for 3.5GHz 5G mobile towards a solution with the government, whilst an
frequency licenses will be delayed due to the ongoing independent advisory committee is expected to begin
The legal dispute with satellite operator Inmarsat which work in October and to issue advice on the matter in
uses the spectrum band for international emergency/
the first quarter of 2022. The State Secretary noted:
Netherlands safety communications services. A government target ‘The exact duration of the auction delay depends,
of completing the 3.5GHz auction by April 2022 – among other things, on the advice of the independent
with a view to making the 5G mobile band useable advisory committee.’ A judge ruled in June that
nationwide in September that year – will be pushed Inmarsat does not have to move its satellite ground
back for an unknown length of time. Dutch news site station in Burum, northern Netherlands, for the time

85 SEPTEMBER 2021