Page 64 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

MTN and Globalstar Boost ITU’s Partner2Connect Pledges to US$73b

The International Telecommunication pledges and resources to reinforce global vestments across Africa over the next five
Union (ITU) says that its Partner2Connect connectivity efforts, strengthen the world’s years to expand and strengthen its voice
(P2C) Digital Coalition has now reached digital infrastructure and narrow the digital and data networks. Meanwhile, Globalstar
US$73 billion in pledges for universal con- divide. MTN Group – which has deployed also pledged at MWC to invest US$2 billion
nectivity, including fresh commitments this on average approximately US$2 billion per to expand its LEO satellite network for di-
week from South Africa’s MTN Group and year in capex across its markets over the rect-to-device (D2D) and IoT solutions into
LEO satellite operator Globalstar. Partner- past five years – said at Mobile World Con- remote regions. “In space, on land and un-
2Connect is the ITU’s initiative to mobilize gress 2025 it will pledge to make similar in- der the sea, expansive digital infrastructure
highlights how much humanity values and
depends on meaningful connectivity,” said
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Mar-
tin in a statement. “These new pledges
bring us even closer to our goal of deliv-
ering sustainable digital transformation to
everyone, everywhere." According to the
ITU, over 1,000 pledges have been made
to the Partner2Connect platform from gov-
ernments, industry, and other stakeholders,
covering 147 countries. The ITU has called
for US$100 billion in commitments to Part-
ner2Connect by 2026 for projects driving
digital transformation across all countries,
with special attention to the hardest-to-con-
nect communities. The latest ITU’s Facts &
Figures report says that 2.6 billion people
around the world remain offline. The organi-
zation currently estimates that US$1.6 tril-
lion is required in hardware costs alone to
complete the task of connecting the world,
with most of the resources needed in devel-
oping countries.

FCC is One Step Closer to Auctioning Unused 5G-Grade Spectrum

New proposed rules approved by the their payment obligations,” the FCC’s press Carr said failing to close a funding gap in
Federal Communications Commission release stated. “As a result, approximately the FCC’s rip and replace program “would
(FCC) represent the first step towards 200 licenses were returned to the FCC’s have left America’s networks needlessly
bringing a slate of unused 5G-grade inventory.” Additionally, proceeds from exposed to security risks.” Carr’s statement
spectrum licenses to the market. The a new auction will fund the FCC’s rip and also celebrated the vote, saying the time had
proposed rules, approved unanimously replace program, the release explained.The come for the FCC to auction spectrum once
by FCC commissioners, will update rules rip and replace program, known formally as again. “It is time that we free up airwaves
around AWS-3 spectrum licenses, the FCC the Secure and Trusted Communications for 5G and other next-gen services,” Carr’s
announced. According to the FCC, the Networks Reimbursement Program, aims statement read. “Of course, conducting
AWS-3 band refers to spectrum between to “remove untrustworthy technology” from auctions at the FCC has been a bit of a
1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and communications networks in the United challenge in recent years because the
2155-2180 MHz. Around 200 licenses States.FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said FCC’s general spectrum auction authority
for AWS-3 spectrum were returned to the the action was “essential to promoting our lapsed back in 2023.”
FCC’s inventory following a 2014 auction. national security.” In a statement on the
“Certain winning bidders defaulted on matter, published on the FCC’s website,

64 MARCH-APRIL 2025