Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

policy, the MCMC will collect internal telco data as well month’," he told Bernama. Fahmi also said the directive
as data from speed-test service providers like Ookla to is a follow-up measure to the 6-Way 4G Multi-Operator
identify areas with spotty internet access, and provide Core Network (MOCN) sharing agreement signed by all
telcos with a monthly list of access issues by state telcos in late January 2025, the report said.
for them to resolve. "We are shifting from ‘waiting for (April 16, 2025) www.developingtelecoms.com
complaints’ to ‘this is the list you must complete for this

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on for part to replace Mexico's previous telecoms agency, which
of a controversial telecommunications bill to be changed Sheinbaum's allies in Congress voted to abolish last
or eliminated, after critics said the legislation could year. At a press conference, Sheinbaum said one of
limit free speech and permit government censorship. the bill's articles, no. 109, should be "clarified" to curb
Mexico The bill moved quickly through Senate committees less criticism. "If it's causing confusion and people think
than 24 hours after Sheinbaum proposed it, after the
it's about censorship, that has never been the goal. In
local broadcast of a U.S. government advertisement any case, the article should be removed or its wording
discouraging migration stirred controversy. Sheinbaum modified to make it absolutely clear that the government
argues the legislation would prevent foreign of Mexico is not going to censor anyone, especially not
governments from broadcasting political or ideological what is published on digital platforms," she said.
propaganda in Mexico. Critics say the bill would deliver (April 25, 2025) www.fidelity.com
control of telecoms to the state through a new agency

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development national security by committing to robust cybersecurity
Agency (NITDA) has signed a memorandum of measures and digital trust. Speaking at the signing
understanding (MoU) with SecDojo, a cybersecurity ceremony, Director General of NITDA, Kashifu
training platform, to strengthen the country’s resilience Inuwa Inuwa expressed his enthusiasm about the
Nigeria against cyberthreats through what are described collaboration and noted that, as Nigeria continues
as targeted capacity-building initiatives. This its digital transformation journey, investing in human
strategic partnership is designed to bolster Nigeria’s capital is paramount. He also touched on the growing
cybersecurity landscape through comprehensive global demand for cybersecurity professionals and
capacity-building initiatives. The collaboration will emphasised Nigeria’s potential to fill the talent gap,
focus on the establishment of a Cybersecurity given its large and youthful population. However, he
Academy, delivery of advanced training and simulation also argued that there is an urgent need to shift from
programmes, development of customised curricula short-term skills acceleration programmes to long-
and educational resources, and facilitation of research, term, systemic integration of digital skills into academic
knowledge sharing, and professional exchange curricula at all levels, from primary to tertiary education,
programmes.This initiative is described as part of a and called for more partnerships with vendors to
continued effort towards the implementation of the support digital literacy.
present administration’s agenda of strengthening (April 16, 2025) www.developingtelecoms.com

Peru has opened a call for the allocation of the 3.5GHz allocations will be made in exchange for a number
frequency band for public telecommunications services of mandatory investment commitments. These are
using 5G or higher technology. More precisely, the call expected to include the implementation of 4G along
comprises frequencies in the 3300-3800MHz band. road corridors and in areas with no mobile connectivity
Peru News website BNamericas reports that the country’s or with only 2G or 3G coverage. Additional commitments
transport and communications ministry (MTC) will offer
include outdoor coverage in sports facilities, universities
the frequencies directly to operators. MTC will offer and other educational institutes and healthcare centres.
25MHz blocks. There is to be a maximum acquisition As no bids appear to be involved, it’s not clear what
limit of four blocks per operator or group. However, could constitute a winning submission. That said, it
the sale process is an interesting one. While every seems that the award of a block in the 3.5GHz band will
100MHz package is valued at US$127 million, the price be based on points obtained based on the additional
will not necessarily guide the awards process. Instead, commitments offered. We will, however, find out the

90 MAY 2025