The South African Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has expressed concerns about the ‘Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development,’ specifically regarding how SMMEs will gain access to high-demand spectrum. While the policy aims to broaden access, ISPA emphasises the need for precise mechanisms that allow smaller enterprises to provide affordable mobile data services.
In addition, efficient spectrum allocation to SMMEs could significantly drive economic recovery and increase competition, thereby challenging the dominance of major players in South Africa like Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom. Moreover, ISPA commends the policy’s emphasis on expanding Wi-Fi networks, particularly in low-income areas, as this is a crucial element in improving affordable internet access. Furthermore, it recognises the potential of community networks to address universal internet access, helping to bridge the digital divide and connect underserved communities more effectively.
The Internet Service Providers’ Association also welcomes the policy’s provision for offering free monthly data to indigent households, urging that clear qualification criteria be established. By reducing the cost of communication, this measure could help more South Africans access digital services. ISPA further notes the importance of reviewing universal service obligations (USOs) to ensure that mobile network operators contribute to the policy’s broader goals of increasing access and affordability, particularly for low-income and rural communities.
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry has introduced a draft order proposing substantial discounts on the radio frequency spectrum for fifth-generation mobile networks (5G). Specifically, the policy aims to significantly reduce costs for telecom operators by setting discount ratios of 0.001 for the millimeter-wave range (24.25-29.5 GHz) and 0.1 for other frequency ranges. Consequently, operators will pay ten times less for low-frequency ranges and 1,000 times less for millimeter-wave frequencies compared to standard rates.
Furthermore, the ministry anticipates that these reductions will accelerate the development of 5G infrastructure. By lowering the costs associated with deploying new base stations and advancing technologies, the policy is designed to enhance communication quality and support industry growth. Thus, the initiative is expected to foster a more dynamic and technologically advanced telecom sector.
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry plans for this order to take effect on 1 January 2025. The policy builds upon a previous discount scheme for LTE frequencies, which resulted in savings of approximately 20 billion rubles annually for operators. With LTE technology now firmly established and covering over 90% of the population, the ministry has determined that additional support measures are no longer necessary, allowing for a focus on advancing 5G technology.
Thailand is set to auction spectrum in the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands in the first quarter of 2025. This strategic initiative is part of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) broader spectrum management strategy for 2025-2030. By making these frequencies available, Thailand aims to advance its telecommunications infrastructure, supporting the development of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and setting the stage for future 6G systems.
The current licenses for the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands, held by National Telecom (NT), will expire in September 2025. Despite NT’s request for an extension, private operators such as True Corporation and Advanced Info Service (AIS) are advocating for an auction due to high demand and the need to facilitate the transition to next-generation networks. That push highlights the importance of these spectrum bands in meeting the growing demands of telecom operators and advancing Thailand’s technological capabilities.
In addition to the upcoming auction, Thailand’s spectrum management strategy includes future plans for the 3.5 GHz band currently used by digital TV broadcasters. The NBTC plans to auction this band in 2027, aligning with recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that favour its use for mobile networks. The transition of this spectrum from digital TV to mobile use will further support Thailand’s efforts to enhance its 5G capabilities and prepare for the next generation of telecommunications technology.
SoftBank Corp. and Nokia have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to advance communication technologies, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 10 September 2024. This collaboration focuses on developing AI-driven Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN) and exploring 6G technologies. Leveraging Nokia’s virtualised Cloud RAN platform and conducting field tests with centimetre waves, which are crucial for 6G, the partnership aims to push the boundaries of current communication systems.
The joint effort by SoftBank and Nokia is set to transform connectivity by delivering faster, more flexible, and wider-range solutions. This innovation could revolutionise various sectors, such as smart cities, industrial automation, and new business models. The goal is to address the growing demand for high-speed and adaptable communication networks, significantly impacting societal and economic landscapes.
In this collaboration, SoftBank will apply its extensive experience as a network operator, while Nokia will contribute its global leadership in network technologies. Together, they aim to achieve high-speed, reliable, and elastic communication networks, addressing the challenges of the digital society and advancing the telecommunications industry.
European Commission recommendations from Mario Draghi’s report focus on transforming the telecom sector through regulatory and financial reforms. The report advocates for easing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to enable market consolidation, expected to drive economies of scale and enhance investment capacity.
It also proposes redefining telecom markets at the EU level and standardising spectrum licensing rules to improve efficiency and competition across Europe. These changes aim to create a more robust and innovative telecom environment that can better meet the demands of the digital age.
In addition to telecom sector reforms, the European Commission report highlights the need for ‘commercial investment sharing’ to address the financial impact of high data traffic from major tech firms. It suggests that large online platforms, such as Amazon and Google, should contribute to the costs of telecom infrastructure investments. That proposal seeks to balance the burden on telecom operators with the benefits derived from these tech giants’ extensive use of their networks. By implementing this approach, the report aims to ensure that the costs of maintaining and expanding network capacity are more equitably shared.
Furthermore, the European Commission outlines strategies for advancing digital infrastructure and technology. The report calls for creating an EU-level body to develop uniform technical standards for network APIs and edge computing. It also recommends expanding high-performance computing (HPC) resources and investing in AI through public-private partnerships. These measures are designed to enhance Europe’s technological capabilities and foster innovation. Additionally, the report emphasises the need for sovereign cloud solutions and reducing dependencies on non-EU tech providers by boosting domestic production in critical areas such as semiconductors. These initiatives aim to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and ensure a more resilient and competitive tech ecosystem.
Wireless data consumption in the United States reached over 100 trillion megabytes in 2023, marking a 36% rise from the previous year, according to a survey by the wireless industry association CTIA. The increase of 26 trillion MBs is largely driven by the growing adoption of 5G devices and a rise in wireless connections, which totalled 558 million, up 6% from 2022.
As more industries, including drones, self-driving vehicles, and space exploration, rely on wireless technology, the demand for spectrum continues to soar. However, challenges remain, with Congress having let the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority lapse in March 2023, the first time in 30 years.
CTIA CEO Meredith Attwell Baker highlighted the urgency for more licensed spectrum to support innovation and economic competitiveness. The Biden administration has made efforts to free up additional spectrum, but the pace has drawn criticism from Republicans who argue that the process is moving too slowly.
Despite the surge in wireless data usage, Americans spent slightly less time on phone calls, with minutes dropping from 2.5 trillion in 2022 to 2.4 trillion in 2023. Text messaging remained stable at 2.1 trillion messages.
The South African government is advancing its digital infrastructure through significant updates to network power grid standards and 5G technology. The introduction of the draft standard SANS 61850-8-1:20XX Ed 2.1 represents an important step in modernising power grids to enhance efficiency and communication.
The following standard integrates advanced technologies such as GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event), SMV (Sampled Measured Value), PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol), and HSR (High-availability Seamless Redundancy), which will improve the reliability and security of power systems while supporting modern networking technologies like IPv6.
In parallel, the draft standard SANS 301908-24:2024 Ed 1 focuses on advancing 5G technology by specifying the technical requirements and measurement methods for 5G base stations. Aligning with 3GPP Release 15, this standard features Massive MIMO for handling numerous simultaneous connections, Beamforming to enhance signal quality and reduce interference, and a focus on power efficiency to support greener, more energy-efficient 5G networks. These updates collectively aim to modernise South Africa’s digital infrastructure, ensuring more reliable power systems and faster, more efficient 5G connectivity.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its regulatory fee schedule for fiscal year 2024, targeting a collection of $390 million. The FCC has introduced favourable terms for instalment payments to ease the financial impact, including reduced interest rates and removing down payments due to the significant increase in fees from the previous year.
Fee payors requesting waivers, reductions, deferrals, or instalment payments must provide detailed financial documentation with their applications. Concurrently, the FCC is conducting its annual assessment under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act to evaluate the deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities across the US, seeking input on broadband metrics, speed benchmarks, and methodologies for identifying unserved areas.
Additionally, the FCC proposes new rules to enhance consumer protection against illegal and unwanted calls and texts, including expanded blocking requirements and a new SIP code 603+ for notifying blocked calls on IP networks. The proposed rules also include penalties for providers that fail to prevent the use of their networks for illegal calls.
In other regulatory matters, the FCC is considering changes to the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) framework to improve federal protection and commercial spectrum access in the 3.5 GHz band, with comments due by early October and replies by early November 2024. The Commission is also evaluating a proposal to allow non-geostationary satellites to operate in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band, aligning US regulations with international standards and managing shared use with geostationary satellites and terrestrial services.
Nokia has partnered with Team Telecom Armenia to deploy its 25G PON (Passive Optical Network) fibre technology. The initiative aims to deliver ultra-high-speed broadband with symmetrical speeds of up to 20 Gb/s, specifically targeting business-to-business (B2B) subscribers. The 25G PON solution supports a wide range of PON technologies, from GPON to 25G PON, providing considerable flexibility for network operators and allowing them to tailor their networks to various needs.
This technology, powered by Nokia’s Quillion chipset, enables Team Telecom Armenia to utilise its existing fibre infrastructure while addressing the growing demand for higher capacity and improved broadband services. The upgrade will enhance connectivity and support advanced applications such as enterprise solutions, 5G mobile transport, and network wholesaling, meeting the increasing need for high-performance network features.
Nokia’s senior vice president for network infrastructure, Matthieu Bourguignon, emphasised that this collaboration represents a significant advancement in ultra-high-speed broadband for the Caucasus and Central Asia regions. He highlighted the initiative’s dual impact: improving connectivity for individuals and businesses in Armenia and contributing to the country’s broader economic and social development.
Similarly, Hayk Yesayan from Team Telecom Armenia noted the project’s role in setting new standards for internet speed and reliability in Armenia, stressing the commitment to future-proofing the network and ensuring superior online experiences for customers now and in the future.
Brazil enhanced its commitment to digital inclusion and connectivity at the G20 meeting on the Digital Economy in Maceió. The Brazilian government is driving significant projects such as the National Strategy for Connected Schools, which aims to connect 138,000 public schools by 2026.
The following initiative demonstrates Brazil’s dedication to integrating educational institutions into the digital landscape and providing students access to essential digital resources. Additionally, Brazil is developing new metrics to evaluate the economic accessibility of digital services, ensuring that connectivity is widespread and affordable for all socioeconomic groups.
Brazil also enhances its focus on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain as part of its broader digital strategy. At the meeting, discussions are centred on effectively leveraging these technologies while addressing cybersecurity and data protection challenges. Brazil is advocating for the establishment of international standards to guide the responsible use of these technologies, aiming to build global trust and confidence.
Why does this matter?
The dual approach, improving digital infrastructure and regulating emerging technologies, reflects Brazil’s commitment to advancing global digital equity and fostering sustainable growth.
