OVETEL Africa

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Court of Appeals stops NTC’s planned reallocation of BWA spectrum

The Business Mirror writes that the Court of Appeals in the Philippines has stopped the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from implementing a 2005 memorandum circular (MC), which was designed to reallocate frequency bandwidth suitable for broadband wireless access (BWA) use. In a 16-page ruling, the court’s ninth division ‘reversed and set aside’ two orders (from December 2010 and March 2011), issued by the regional court of Quezon City against broadcasting firm Atlacom Wireless Systems.

Une-EPM secures loan for network expansion

Colombian telco Une-EPM, which last month launched the nation’s first 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, has secured a loan of up to COP400 billion (USD223.09 million) which it plans to use to expand its infrastructure. According to Telecompaper, the loan was supplied by BBVA, Banco de Santander, Bancolombia, Banco de Bogota and Banco Popular.

Islamabad finally agrees Etisalat-PTCL deal

Pakistan’s government has drawn a line under its long standing dispute with UAE-backed Etisalat over payment for a 26% stake in Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd (PTCL) dating back to 2006. The Tribune reports that the two parties agreed for Etisalat to pay USD700 million of the outstanding USD800 million, which had been withheld due to the non-transfer of 136 properties. To date, not all of the properties have been transferred, and the USD100 million reduction represents the value of the outstanding properties.

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OVETEL Islamabad finally agrees Etisalat-PTCL deal

Peru knocks back 900MHz auction

Peru’s Private Investment Promotion Authority (ProInversion) has postponed a planned spectrum auction for frequencies in the 900MHz range until mid-August, reports RCR Wireless. The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) is looking to award concessions for the use of the 899MHz-915MHz and 944MHz-960MHz bands in Lima and Callao, and 902MHz-915MHz and 947MHz-960MHz bands for the rest of the country

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OVETEL Peru knocks back 900MHz auction

MTS suspension extended

Embattled cellco MTS Uzbekistan has had its licence suspension increased from ten days to three months by Uzbek authorities. Reuters reports that the operator had requested to resume operations but had been denied, as the Uzbekistan Agency for Communications and Information (UzACI) claimed to have found further violations

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OVETEL MTS suspension extended

Vodafone rejigs Cable Wireless Worldwide management to smooth integration process

Following the completion of the acquisition of Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW) and the de-listing of the latter from the London Stock Exchange, British mobile giant Vodafone Group has confirmed five appointments ‘to lead the integration’ of its new subsidiary. Among the executive changes, Vodafone has revealed that the chief executive of Vodafone Global Enterprise, Nick Jeffery, has been appointed as chief executive of CWW, with immediate effect

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OVETEL Vodafone rejigs Cable & Wireless Worldwide management to smooth integration process

Competition Commission directed to examine BT’s appeal of wholesale service price controls

With UK telecoms regulator Ofcom having formally set the new pricing structure for a number of wholesale fixed line services provided by BT’s wholesale division Openreach in March 2012, an appeal by the fixed line incumbent over the changes has been referred to the Competition Commission, according to TechWeek Europe. As previously reported by CommsUpdate, the revised charges took effect from 1 April 2012, and as per the new pricing regime the annual cost of a fully unbundled line fell to GBP87.41 (USD138.16) per year, down from the previous cost of GBP91.50. Looking forward, this fee will decrease further in the next financial year (from 1 April 2013), with the reduction calculated using the formula of retail price index (RPI) -5.9%