Page 20 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

As an overarching priority, the proliferation of 5G networks would be a global leadership opportunity
for the regional governments. Therefore,
in the region, in great part, rests on contiguous spectrum to move forward in making the best use
that ensures both coverage and capacity and allows for of 600 MHz, priority should also be given
Standalone 5G to materialize, so that the region is able to to the need to improve harmonization of
the 600 MHz band for mobile broadband
benefit fully from 5G in its truest form. Stand Alone 5G, which and to prioritize 600 MHz in broadcast re-
may be referred to as "Real 5G", with its network-slicing planning. Not only 600 MHz, but other sub-
1 GHz bands should also be prioritized for
features, will support all use-cases including making the efficient and most relevant utilization.
most of Cloud Communication, Artificial Intelligence, IoT,
Industrial IoT, etc., and will truly unlock the power of the Connectivity now demands increased
investment in order to expand broadband
next-generation mobile technology in its ultimate sense. deployment as it has never been witnessed
before. There is consensus that connecting
the adoption of new digital services will user groups on the same 5G band. With the remaining unconnected 47% of the
also have a tremendous role. some innovation and great collaboration world's population will not at all be as easier
with digital ecosystem partners, this can be as it has been connecting the current 53%.
However, being able to effectively meet easily translated into new revenue streams Therefore, aligned and concerted efforts
the pre-requisite requirements for the and beneficial impact to consumers and to should be refocused to frame region-wide
aforementioned priority areas, necessitates the overall economy of the Arab region. policies targeting broadband deployment
ensuring that spectrum resources are through fresh, future-proof approaches.
made available to Telecom Operators. Granted balancing flexibility, availability, This almost instantly necessitates
To this effect, allocation of affordable allocation, and region-wide harmonization, building better mechanisms and corridors
and contiguous spectrum as well as while making a strong case for 5G of enhanced collaboration between the
rectification of spectrum interference with investments and socio-economic growth Private Sector and the Governments, and
effective regulatory approaches are among is a major challenge, it is highly important one of the crucial means to realize such
the key steps that can be taken to address that a combination of sub-1 GHz collaboration is via alignment of priorities
the future connectivity requirements and harmonized spectrum and larger blocks and seeing 5G as an ecosystem instead
thus should be treated as a dire priority, with of high frequency spectrum (such as at of just as another mobile broadband
expedited steps taken toward cross-border 3.6 GHz) be made available to enable the technology.
cooperation and information exchange. As boost-up of mobile broadband speeds in
an overarching priority, the proliferation of an economically efficient manner. Such a Connectivity now demands
5G networks in the region, in great part, combination can decisively and positively increased investment in
rests on contiguous spectrum that ensures impact fulfillment of SDG 9 by accelerating
both coverage and capacity and allows for resilient rural broadband infrastructure, order to expand broadband
Standalone 5G to materialize, so that the quality of service, and industrialization. deployment as it has never
region is able to benefit fully from 5G in its
truest form. Stand Alone 5G, which may be A key part of the sub-1 GHz spectrum, the been witnessed before.
referred to as "Real 5G", with its network- 600 MHz band in the region, in particular, is There is consensus that
slicing features, will support all use- a clean coverage frequency range that can
cases including making the most of Cloud open up many new options for Telecom connecting the remaining
Communication, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Operators, and can effectively meet the unconnected 47% of the
Industrial IoT, etc., and will truly unlock region's need for good 5G coverage plus world's population will not
the power of the next-generation mobile capacity. Specifically, 617 – 652 MHz
technology in its ultimate sense. Moreover, paired with 663 – 698 MHz, which provides at all be as easier as it has
Stand Alone 5G can allow different 2 times 35 MHz bandwidth, is an ideal "clear been connecting the cur-
qualities-of-service and Service Level band" for 5G deployment and using 600
Agreements to to be offered to different MHz to launch Standalone 5G in the region rent 53%.

20 APRIL-MAY 2021