The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set 14 September 2024 as the final registration date for subscriber identification module (SIM) subscribers, just under four years since the country’s SIM registration procedure began.
Chile may soon become the first country in the Americas to implement an initiative mandating a universal charger for electronic devices.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly rejected demands by telcos to regulate OTT players like WhatsApp and Telegram under the same rules as telecoms companies, although they could still be regulated under other laws.
The Acting Board of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has signed two major regulations which, it argues, are aimed at enhancing opportunities for many Liberians, including entrepreneurs, and will improve service quality and government revenue.
Internet shutdowns are described as a “common tactic” used by government to supress dissent, according to the World Economic Forum. This is increasingly an unacceptable reality given that connectivity is now so ingrained in the majority of economies that any such disruption can have a massive impact to GDP and society as a whole.
![Telecoms players in the Philippines say that the government’s recent moves to streamline the permit process for faster network equipment rollouts are helping, but that stakeholders need to do more to make the process smoother. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued Executive Order No. 32, which – along with its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) – streamlined the permit process for the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of telecoms and Internet infrastructure in the Philippines. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said during its fourth telco workshop last week that EO 32 and the IRR have had a positive impact on network rollouts, citing a 48% rise in approved telco-related permits between May 2022 and May 2024. Attorney Pamela B. Felizarta, head of joint strategic operations at PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, acknowledged that the guidelines, rules and regulations now in place have paved the way for faster rollouts of telecom infrastructure. However, she said that telcos still face formidable permit-related challenges, including securing Mayor's and Business Permits, unreasonable fees, and difficulties in obtaining consent from homeowners' associations, among others. Ricky James Steyn, COO and interim president and CEO at tower company Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC), agreed that uncooperative homeowner associations often hinder site development and connectivity improvements. He also emphasized the importance of standardizing Lease and Right of Way Agreements with landowners to prevent excessive fees and construction delays. Felizarta urged industry stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, tower companies and other telco operators, to intensify collaboration in order to address these challenges. "We continue to collaborate with local government units toward a full appreciation of EO 32, and we look forward to the enactment of local ordinances that adopt in full the IRR's provisions," she added. "Together with ARTA and our partners in the public and private sectors, we trust that we will continue to work closely together, since there is still so much work to be done." "ARTA in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will draft a template ordinance for LGUs [local government units] to adopt in order to expedite the approval process," said ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez.](/images/stories/NewsPix/PLDT_Smart_Pamela_Felizarta_ARTA_workshop_600.jpeg)
Telecoms players in the Philippines say that the government’s recent moves to streamline the permit process for faster network rollouts are helping, but that stakeholders need to do more to make the process smoother.
Peru’s recently published Legislative Decree 1627, related to 5G deployment, comes with an attractive offer: 5G spectrum, at no apparent cost, in exchange for coverage.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has kicked off a consultation process to develop a new framework that will make it easier for LEO satellite operators such as Starlink to acquire a licence to offer services.
Bangladesh telcos Grameenphone and Robi Axiata have reportedly secured another 20 MHz of spectrum each in the 2.6 GHz band, after two years of haggling over the price per MHz.
Attempts across Africa to manage the proliferation of SIM cards are continuing. This time it’s Tunisia’s turn.
Last month’s internet blackouts in Bangladesh during student protests that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were ordered by the government and not the result of data centre fires, according to an independent probe.
Local industry association the Association of Communications and Technology wants the South African government to lift its deadline for shutting down the country’s 2G and 3G networks.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) called for telecoms operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles and promotional activities in a bid to streamline consumer experience and grow the sector.
All broadband services in Bangladesh were restored on Monday following a complete shutdown ordered by the government on Sunday – the second in less than a month – as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.
India’s telecom regulator TRAI has announced plans to tighten up on quality of service (QoS) requirements relating to 4G and 5G networks, in a bid, it is reported, to reduce instances of call drops and network downtime problems.
UPDATE: Bangladesh's Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has confirmed that he has assumed power following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has now fled the country. At the time of writing, data from NetBlocks indicates that internet connectivity has been restored and remains available in Bangladesh.
Indian authorities have hit leading IT outsourcer Infosys with a US$3.9 billion tax demand – and some news reports suggest the pursuit of alleged unpaid taxes will soon target other big names.
India’s news media outlets are reporting that there may be government interest in reallocating some broadcasting spectrum for use in 5G networks.
Vietnam set a target to shutdown 3G networks by September 2028 to pave the way for 4G and 5G services, and meet subscriber demand.
Popular social media and OTT messaging services in Malaysia will have to apply for a class licence under a new framework to be introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) this week.
Mobile internet services in Bangladesh were restored on Sunday after being down for 12 days. However, access to social media and messaging apps reportedly remains blocked pending a meeting with social media reps and government officials later this week.
The mobile economy of the Asia Pacific was predicted to grow by US$130 billion by 2030 and hit US$1 trillion, due to faster adoption of 5G technologies in the region.
Brazilian telecoms regulator Anatel has expressed its disappointment at a recent decision by another government agency, the electricity-focused Aneel to, essentially, abandon plans discussed by the two regulators on the vexed topic of infrastructure sharing or, more accurately, pole sharing.
Fixed broadband in Bangladesh was reportedly set to be completely restored on Wednesday night, but the government said that mobile internet access will remain offline until at least Sunday or Monday, which means most people will remain unconnected.
Fixed line broadband internet connectivity in Bangladesh has been partially restored in select areas and for certain business sectors after a five-day blackout that has reportedly wreaked havoc on almost every aspect of life in the country.
Colombia's ICT ministry (MinTIC) has cancelled a tender to connect over 3,000 schools. However, it does seem as though the process to connect 3,082 public educational institutions for a total of COP408 billion (US$101.6 million) will reopen – in approximately one month, according to the ministry.
A Nigerian anti-trust agency fined WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms US$220 million for violating data and privacy laws.
The Liberian Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has introduced a new set of regulations designed to empower fintech companies and foster a more competitive mobile market.
Bangladesh’s internet has been mostly shut down since Thursday amid an outbreak of violence between demonstrators and police, but the government has denied responsibility for the blackout, despite the country’s recent history of internet-related shutdowns during political unrest.
Chad’s telecoms regulator, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et de la Poste (Arcep), has renewed the licence of telco Airtel Chad with some new specifications and stronger QoS requirements.
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), which as its name implies, brings together the region’s telecommunications and ICT regulators, is apparently hoping to encourage infrastructure sharing to lower the cost of internet access in West Africa.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded more mobile subscribers in 2023 with over half of the country’s large population now connected, reported Ecofin Agency.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced plans to develop a unified interactive portal to consolidate information about the telecom industry and users – now found across several websites – onto a single platform.
The GSMA announced a global coalition with major telecom players, the ITU and World Bank to improve the access of affordable handsets and connect three billion people that are not online.
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