New termination rates in Ethiopia from 1 May 2024
19 April 24
Elena Scaramuzzi
Ethiopia is moving forward in regulating the telecommunications sector, following the end of Ethio Telecom’s monopoly and the start of operations of Safaricom Ethiopia in 2022. The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) published the results of its first round of market analyses in April 2024. It also established new voice call and SMS termination rates until 2029, based on a cost model. In South Africa the regulator has also recently been working on a new cost model to define cost-oriented termination rates, this Global Trends Flash observes.
New regulation in Indonesia will redefine business relations between digital platforms and domestic media companies
11 April 24
Javier Morales Fhon
From August 2024, digital platforms active in Indonesia must, amongst other obligations, pay domestic media companies for re-publishing or linking to their news content in the country.
This Global Trends Flash summarises the rationale and scope of a new regulation, which parallels similar regulations and proposals from around the world to protect domestic journalism and the sustainability of local media industries.
Update on 5G spectrum auctions in Asia
09 April 24
Andre Moura Gomes
This Global Trends flash covers recent and upcoming 5G spectrum awards in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam
COMESA Competition Commission investigates tower lease agreement between ATC and Airtel Africa
20 March 24
Gilles Bana
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission (CCC) is investigating a tower lease agreement between American Tower Corporation (ATC) and Airtel Africa. The CCC is concerned the agreement may restrict competition in the tower market affecting trade between COMESA member states.
This investigation is significant because it is the first example of a regional competition body examining a tower deal in Africa, this Global Trends Flash highlights.
Canada proposes new guidance for biometric data processing
23 February 24
Jose Jehuda Garcia
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada closed consultations on draft guidelines for the lawful handling of biometric information by both private sector and government entities in Canada. This Global Trends Flash explains the rationale and content of these draft guidelines. It also notes that several other governments around the world have recently been addressing the need to better protect biometric data.
Quantum-related policy trends in the EU
07 February 24
Elena Scaramuzzi
At end of its term, in December 2023, the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU launched a Quantum Declaration, calling on member states to “making Europe the quantum valley of the world.” A few weeks later, the European Commission announced new initiatives aimed at strengthening the EU's economic security in key technology areas, including, amongst others, quantum technology. This Global Trends Flash provides an update of recent quantum-related policy initiatives currently implemented or under debate in the EU.
