Regulation

Nine telecommunications companies have apparently expressed their interest in acquiring radio spectrum in the 5G spectrum auction expected to take place in Colombia in the third quarter of 2023.

Montenegro’s major operators Crnogorski Telekom (CT), MTEL and One Montenegro have all acquired 5G-ready spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.6GHz bands.

Kazakhstan’s 5G spectrum auctions have concluded, with both available blocks of spectrum acquired by the consortium of Kazakhtelecom subsidiaries comprised of mobile operators Kcell and Mobile Telecom Service (Tele2-Altel).

Mexican regulator the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) has said that 2023 will see it make available up to 7,750 MHz of millimetre wave bands for 5G networks.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the official regulator of the South African communications, broadcasting and postal services sectors, has suggested making additional radio frequency spectrum available for Wi-Fi broadband through a proposed amendment to regulations.

French regulator Arcep has named the companies planning to bid in its upcoming auction of 5G-ready spectrum in the Caribbean.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia’s (CRAN) CEO Emilia Nghikembua called for more private sector investments to boost the country’s telecoms sector, pointing out several regions are still underserved, reported CommsUpdate.

The Vietnamese government reported 71 million internet users in the country as the nation marked 25 years of internet connectivity while repeating ambitions to become a connectivity powerhouse in Asia.

Over 8 million unregistered SIM cards have been deactivated in Ghana since the country began a nationwide drive for SIM registration in October 2021.

This week saw the announcement of what Somalian regulator the National Communications Authority (NCA) calls an important milestone: an interconnection agreement with Somali telecommunication companies that will allow customers of the various operators in the country to call each other seamlessly across different networks.

The Israeli government appears to be keen to encourage operators to make plans for the next 5G spectrum auction with a call for smart city-focused rollout.

The near-decade long legal dispute between Turkcell and South Africa’s MTN about shares in an Iranian operator may not be over yet.

Malaysia’s 5G agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) hit back after new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused the single wholesale 5G strategy  process of not being transparent.

The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has confirmed to the country’s government that it is preparing for the implementation of commercial 5G services in 2023.

Polish cable operator Vectra is facing fines of up to €10,000 per day for failing to meet regulatory conditions for its acquisition of rival Multimedia Polska.

Kazakhstan is putting two 1×100MHz blocks of 5G mobile spectrum up for sale, with bidding scheduled for 20^th December 2022.

Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has made part of the C-Band spectrum available for 5G private networks. The spectrum will be made available in the 3.8 to 4.2GHz band.

The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has announced plans to begin reassigning spectrum in the 800MHz band in order to allow the deployment of 4G and rural services.

Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO Ashish Chandra confirmed that a new firm, Lanka Portability, has been established to oversee the implementation of fixed and mobile number portability (FNP / MNP) in Sri Lanka.

Having withdrawn its proposed personal data protection bill in August, the Indian government now expects to release a newly drafted bill in about a week for public comment.

Burkina Faso’s regulator ARCEP has warned all three of the country’s major operators that they are failing to uphold the quality of service (QoS) standards stipulated by their licences.

Estonia has wrapped its 700MHz spectrum auction, with its three incumbents all securing concessions.

Romania’s multi-band 5G spectrum auctions have come to a close, with the three participants pledging a total of EUR432.6 million (US$448.3 million).

It looks like some of the pressure on Ericsson over recent allegations of bribery may be easing with the news that Sweden has dropped an investigation into suspected Ericsson bribery in China.

Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) has said that all unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated at the end of this month, an extension to the previously announced deadline of the end of October.

An ongoing dispute between South Africa’s Vodacom Group and the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) has been resolved by the Lesotho High Court.

South Sudan detailed its plan on developing an infrastructure backbone to overcome connectivity challenges associated with being a landlocked nation and become a central hub for communications in eastern Africa.

Costa Rican regulator Sutel (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones) has called on the government to help it regain control over unused 2.6GHz spectrum holdings, which it claims are “vital for the development of 5G in Costa Rica.”

Romania’s National Authority for Management & Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) confirmed that three operators have applied to bid in its upcoming multi-band spectrum auction.

The Digital Poland Association (Cyfrowa Polska) has called on the country’s government to license 3.5GHz C-band spectrum for 5G use “as soon as possible.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed the local units of Airtel and MTN to repeal the tariff increases that they imposed last week.