Morocco to Require Prepay SIM Card Registration:

Morocco's telecoms regulator, ANRT has announced that mobile networks offering PrePay SIM Cards will need to validate their customer's identification from the start of April.

In a statement, the regulator announced the polcy, which it said applies to both GSM and 3G customers, and banned the sale of pre-activated SIM cards.

Retailers will be required to collect the CNI number from the customer, or another suitable form of identification first.

The mobile networks are to also set up a process for collecting the identifications from their existing customer base. They have been given a year to secure the id of all their existing customers.

Although the specifics were not laid out in the statement, the regulator said that some process for cutting off unregistered SIM cards can be expected from April 2015.

Iraq Government Looking to Auction 3G Licenses:

Iraq's government is seeking to sell its 3G licenses to the incumbent mobile networks for at least US$307 million each.

The country's three national mobile networks are currently limited to GSM services, and while customer growth was initially considerable in a country that lacked reliable telecommunications, the lack of 3G services has been a drag in the past couple of years.

Last week the Council of Ministers agreed in principle to auction 3G licences, Ahmed Alomary, a former commissioner at the Communications and Media Commission (CMC), told Reuters.

The reserve price has been set at US$307 million, although that is currently just indicative and could change. The mobile networks, who paid US$1.25 billion each for their licenses in 2007 have long argued that they shouldn't have to pay extra for 3G approvals.

The auction will also be open to new entrants to the market after plans to automatically award the licenses to the three incumbent operators was rejected.

US Regulator Pushes for Most Support for Emergency Text Messaging Services:

The USA's telecoms regulator, the FCC has issued a ruling that more mobile networks should support the facility for contacting emergency services via text message.

Approximately 15 percent of the United States population, or 34.5 million people, are deaf or hard of hearing, and approximately 7.5 million people have speech disabilities.

The FCC also sought further comment on regulatory proposals to help ensure that Americans will be able to send these texts by the end of the year, regardless of which text provider they use, in areas where 911 call centers can receive texts.

While voice calling to 911 remains the preferred method, consumers also expect to be able to send a text to 911 and have it reach authorities. Yet text-to-911 is not currently available in most areas or on most texting platforms.

In adopting a policy statement that outlines objectives for text-to-911, the Commission noted that the nation's four largest mobile networks have committed to make text-to-911 available by May 15, 2014 -- but that is only possible in areas where the 911 call center is itself prepared to receive texts.

Myanmar Networks Launch Mobile Money Service:

Myanmar's two state owned mobile networks have launched a mobile money service, based on a platform supplied by Oberthur Technologies.

This first national mobile money service, offered in both English and Myanmar, is based on OT's MoreMagic m:Wallet. It includes person-to-person transfer, agent-assisted cash-in/-out, air time top-up, salary disbursements, and merchant payments.

Started in major cities at the end of 2013, the service will progressively extend to all localities in Myanmar. By end of 2014, there are expected to be over 6,000 agents, with expected double-digit growth over the next 5 years. The services will eventually serve more than 80% of the population, giving them access to basic financial services.

The Myanmar economy has experienced strong 6% or higher annual growth over the last few years, but less than 20% of the population is able to access banking services in an economy that is largely cash-based.

Stressed Mobile Networks Increasingly Dropping Connections:

Demand for data services is leading to increased failings on mobile networks, according to recent research conducted by Actix. The number of dropped data sessions and voice calls has increased by 121 percent as data demand grows.

On average around 1 percent of voice and data calls fail on mobile networks however some locations deliver call failure rates of over 17 percent during periods of high network load.

Stressed mobile networks are exposing the variation in the quality of the network connections across handset brands, with the worst devices dropping, on average, more than 2.5 percent of all calls and data sessions. iPhones generally performed better than average on data and Blackberry devices were least likely to drop a voice call.

iPhone 3GS recorded the lowest percentage of dropped data sessions, followed by the iPhone 5 and 4s. The best voice performer was the Blackberry 9320, with the Galaxy range of devices (S2, S3, S3 mini and S4) dropping significantly more calls than competitors - in some cases up to 2.5 percent of all calls and data sessions.

Spy Agencies Monitoring Nearly 200 Million Text Messages Every Day:

The USA's spy agencies may have been routinely recording text messages sent by mobile networks, according to the latest documents released by the NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden.

It is being claimed that the NSA collected nearly 200 million text messages per day by trapping into the mobile networks, using the data to track issues such as locations of the sender, who messages are being sent to and even credit card details.

A joint investigation between The Guardian and the UK's Channel 4 News is based on material provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The project, code-named Dishfire is said to collect "pretty much everything it can", according to documents from the UK's own spy agency, GCHQ.

They describe tapping into the SMS platform as a "goldmine to exploit" and was collecting an average of 194 million messages per day starting back in April 2011.

Dishfire collects not just the contents of the text message, but also the more useful for the spies, the metadata about the message, such as where it was sent from, to whom and which networks were involved in processing it.

Unregistered SIM Cards Still Able to Make Calls in Uganda:

Ugandan mobile phone users are still able to use unregistered SIM cards, some five months after that was supposed to have been banned.

The networks were supposed to block unregistered SIM cards from the end of last August. However, a local newspaper says that is has seen evidence that the blocking is not fully operational.

According to an investigation by the New Vision newspaper, customers from three of the five mobile networks are able to make voice calls and text messages without registering their details with the networks.

The newspaper did not reveal which three networks were still allowing unauthorised calls to be made.

"We have already finished SIM card registration. If the operators are allowing people to use mobile phones without registering numbers then that is illegal," Godfrey Mutabazi, the UCC executive director told the newspaper.

It had been estimated that around 1.5 million SIM Cards were cut off when the deadline for registration expired on the 31st August 2013.

US Court Partially Overturns Net Neutrality Regulations:

The USA's Court of Appeals has partially overturned a regulatory ruling that imposed so-called net neutrality rules on internet services in the country.

The regulator, the FCC had imposed the rules that require all internet content to be treated transparently and without bias, but Verizon challenged the order, and secured part of what it wanted.

The Open Internet Order, which was passed in December 2010 only applies to landline internet providers. Mobile networks are still able to moderate internet traffic if they feel the need to.

Verizon has argued that in addition to poor policy making, that the ruling effectively blocks its First Amendment rights.

The court ruled that the FCC had not correctly justified its imposition of net neutrality on the telecoms networks, but has said that the FCC has the general authority to regulate how ISPs treat internet traffic.

In a statement, the Chairman of the FCC, Tom Wheeler said that the regulator "will consider all available options, including those for appeal, to ensure that these networks on which the Internet depends continue to provide a free and open platform for innovation and expression, and operate in the interest of all Americans."

Canada Outlines Plans for 2.5Ghz Spectrum Auction:

Canada's telecoms regulator, Industry Canada has outlined more details of its planned auction of radio spectrum in the 2.5Ghz bands.

The auction will take place in April 2015 and will maintain the radio spectrum caps that have been opposed by the big three mobile networks.

It will also introduce spectrum caps to ensure that four or more providers have the opportunity to access 2500 MHz spectrum.

There will also be strict provisions on transfers of the 2500 MHz spectrum to other companies. Similar rules have hampered the purchase of the struggling smaller mobile networks by their larger rivals in recent months.

Industry Minister James Moore said that "The rules for this auction, like those for the upcoming 700 MHz auction, were designed to support more choice in our wireless market while putting the interests of consumers first."

Applications for the new spectrum auction are due by November 27, 2014.

Kenyan Networks Warned to Improve Services or Lose Licenses:

Kenya's ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has warned the country's mobile networks that they face losing their operating licenses if they do not improve the quality of their service.

The warning followed a recent survey by the telecoms regulator that found none of the networks had met minimum standards, and threats to Safaricom not to renew its license later this year.

"The line on the issue of regulatory obligations is very clear. You comply or you are out of the business," the Minister said, "If you come in, you come to a regulatory environment and you play according to the rules."

"Our responsibility is to ensure that the people of Kenya receive quality service. It has nothing to do with us loving or hating them and it is as clear as that," he added.

Safaricom says it was optimistic that things will improve following investment in the network.

Jordan to Announce 4G License Winner by End of January:

The Jordanian government expects to announce the winner of the country's sole 4G license by the end of the month, an official has told local media.

Two companies submitted bids for the 4G license, and these have been studied by the regulator. The names of the bidders are not currently known, but the country's three mobile networks all opposed the issuance of the license as premature.

"We are in the final stages of studying two bids we received from two companies. The committee in charge of deciding on the best bid has been meeting for the past three months to choose the best offer," ICT Minister Azzam Sleit told the Jordan Times.

The tender for the 4G licenses was announced last June, with bids due by last October.

There are also concerns about the viability of a fourth mobile network in the country. Mobile phone penetration was expected to reach 140% last year, and pass 200% in the next few years, according to the Arab Advisers Group.

Zambian Networks Face Possible Criminal Charges over QoS Failures:

Zambia's telecoms regulator has threatened to seek criminal proceedings against the mobile networks if they do not improve the quality of their service.

The regulator, ZICTA has already sued the mobile networks for breaches of their regulatory obligations, but says that the failures could be considered criminal as well as they exploit the subscribers.

ZICTA confirmed that it has sent a report to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to be studied for possible action.

The country has three mobile networks, MTN, Zamtel and Airtel.

Vietnam's Networks Cleared of Collusion in 3G Price Rises:

Vietnam's largest mobile networks have been cleared of allegations of collusion when they all raised their 3G tariffs at the same time.

The three companies, Viettel, MobiFone, and Vinaphone raised their tariffs last month, sparking protests about both the scale of the price hike as well as the apparent coordinated action in the usually extremely competitive market.

Vietnam Competition Authority (VCA) investigated the matter following the complaints, but says that it has been unable to find any evidence supporting the claims made against the phone networks.

Although the public changes all took place at the same time, the submissions by the networks to the regulator took place separately and concerned different adjustments to their tariffs.

It was the regulator that then approved the changes, and set the transfer date.

Small Indian Tower Operator Put Up for Sale by Owners:

A small Indian telecoms towers owner is reported to have been put up for sale by its owners.

Ascend Telecom was set up in 2002 and is backed by TVS Interconnect Systems and the New Silk Route private equity investors to provide passive infrastructure.

"Ascend is now talking to various investment bankers and will soon appoint one or two of them to scout for buyers," an unnamed source to the Economic Times newspaper.

The company owns around 4,500 towers which should be worth around US$400 million.

The company is thought to have struggled against the vastly larger rivals, most of which are backed by the mobile networks. The company tends to operate with a tenancy ratio of just 1.6 per tower, compared to an estimated break-even ratio needed of 2.5 tenants per tower.

Apple Fined for Price Fixing in Taiwan:

Apple has been fined by Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission after it was found to have interfered in the pricing and distribution of its smartphones in the country.

The company was fined NT$20 million (US$670,000), which can rise to NT$50 million if it continues the breaches it was accused of.

The Commission found that Apple had been telling the country's mobile networks how much to charge for its iPhones, and also asked them to adjust their prices in a coordinated manner.

Suppliers directing retailers how to set prices is illegal in Taiwan.

"Through the email correspondence between Apple and these three telecom companies we discovered the companies submit their pricing plans to Apple to be approved or confirmed before the products hit the market," the Commission said in a statement.

The complaint relates only to sales of Apple's iPhones. There are no plans to investigate other Apple products at the moment.

China Issues Licenses to Private Companies to Resell Mobile Services:

China has made the long expected announcement that will permit private companies to resell mobile phone services in the country through MVNO agreements.

The country's Industry and Information Technology Ministry (MIIT) granted licenses to 11 companies to start trials of reselling selected mobile services.

The ministry described the move as an important part of restructuring and reform in the telecom industry.

"This will help competition and innovation while offering more choices and better services to consumers," the statement said.

In a slight reversal of how most countries operate though, the license applicants have to secure a resale agreement with one of the mobile networks, and then apply for a license.

Half of Zambia's Mobile Phones Face Disconnection on New Year's Day:

Zambia is facing the potential to have around half its mobile phones cut off on New Year's Day as a SIM card registration deadline approaches.

The regulator says that of the country's 10.3 million active mobile lines, just 5.3 million have been registered with the mobile networks.

Around 5 million are still unregistered, and it looks unlikely that they could all be processed before the midnight deadline at the end of this year.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Panji Kaunda said that MTN has registered 2,590,737, Airtel has 2,166,667 recorded and Zamtel has 606,689.

The regulator and government have both already ruled out extending the deadline.

Once the deadline passes, any unregistered SIM card will still be able to send messages for a short period of time, but all inbound messages will be blocked, as will voice services.

VoLTE Testing Will Be Key to Service Rollouts:

Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) is predicted to grow tremendously through 2016, making it imperative for operators to test the new service at all layers to ensure quality of service (QoS), according to the latest report from Heavy Reading.

"Mobile networks with high demand from heavy users are looking to solidly embrace VoLTE technology," says Denise Culver, research analyst with Heavy Reading Insider and author of the report. "Demand is mainly being driven by customer requirement for both voice and data and the operator's ability to provide this with LTE services."

It's important for operators to test VoLTE at various layer levels to ensure the QoS prioritization of the voice element is accurate, Culver says.

"The increasing capacity requirement on the management layer, plus the addition of applications, means QoS optimization for VoLTE is a two-dimensional challenge in which both layers need attention," she continues. "As mobile carriers continue to build out their VoLTE network, the importance of testing each level of those networks to ensure the highest level of quality will become a valuable instrument in distinguishing themselves in the competitive marketplace."

Nigerian Networks Fined for Missing Quality of Service Standards:

Nigeria's four largest mobile networks have been collectively fined N1.2 billion (US$7.5 million) for missing quality of service obligations.

The regulator, the NCC published the standards last year following ongoing complaints about poor reception and reliability from consumers.

MTN and Etisalat were both fined N360 million. Airtel has been fined N270 million while Globalcom was fined N180 million.

The regulator also warned that it will impose further fines of N500,000 per day that networks do not meet the key performance indicators that it has set down.

The regulator also has the power to ban a mobile network from signing up new customers if it feels the networks are suffering problems due to a lack of capacity to service its customer base.

European Regulators to Examine German Network Merger Plans:

The European Union is expected to open a full investigation into merger plans between two of Germany's mobile network operators.

German regulators had been seeking to handle the matter internally, but the Reuters news agency reports that the EU will overrule them and decide the matter itself.

Earlier this year, KPN agreed to sell its German subsidiary, E-Plus to Telefonica's O2 Germany in an EUR5 billion deal.

KPN would also be left with a 17.6% stake in the merged company which sees the number of mobile networks in the country shrink to three, plus MVNOs.

The EU is said to be concerned about the reduction in competition in the local market.

The opening of a full investigation will delay the completion of the deal, which is important for KPN which needs the money to pay down its debt.