Page 104 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman

Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is seeking Regulatory Authority. Locals and foreign nationals in the country
opinion from people in the country on the facilities they want to can also hand deliver their suggestions at the TRA building, which
see in a new telecom network that will be set up in the country, is located at the Airport Heights area of Seeb in Muscat. TRA have
with the aim of providing good quality services of a reliable nature. decided to go ahead with the setting up of this framework after
A statement from the TRA said, “Over the last six months, the several discussions with stakeholders in the country’s telecom
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority had developed its first sector, as well as public institutions which will be part of this new
draft proposal for in-building telecommunications infrastructure network. All of these organizations provided their inputs into the
framework in Oman. The framework is intended to generate a framework, which will form the guidelines for the establishment of
common and efficient system of in-building infrastructure which the country’s new telecom network. The TRA added: “the authority
does not constrain the quality of services, supports competitive is seeking the approvals of interested parties and stakeholders
choices for users within a building, supports a multi-operator on the proposals put forward for comment. TRA shall give due
competitive environment and provides developers and owners consideration to all comments and contributions received from
guidance to deploy efficient and future-proof telecommunications these interested parties. However, incorporation of any proposed
infrastructure which best contributes to a better value of the changes will be at the sole discretion of the authority. The TRA
property.” Those who wish to provide feedback on this program at its own discretion may publish comments and views of the
are welcome to contact the TRA on their website, www.tra.gov. respondents unless confidentiality is requested and justified by
om. Those who wish to submit suggestions are welcome to also them.”
submit their contributions by post to the Telecommunications (August 25, 2019) timesofoman.com

Pakistan

The number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan reached 69.64 million the most complained telecom operator with 1583 complaints.
by end July 2019 compared to 68.93 million by end June 2019, PTA said that it was able to get 7396 complaints resolved i.e.
said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Number of 99.91 percent. Cellular mobile subscribers constitute major
mobile phone users in Pakistan reached 161.24 million by end part of overall telecom subscriber base, therefore, maximum
July compared to 161.02 million by end June, which registered an number of complaints belong to this segment. Total number
increase of 0.22 million during the period under review. Jazz’s total of complaints against CMOs by July stood at 5852. In terms of
count for 3G users stood at 12.912 million by end July compared the segregation of complaints on operator basis, a total of 2359
to 13.105 million by end June, registering a decrease of 0.193 complaints were received against Jazz which is 40.31% of the
million. Jazz 4G user numbers jumped from 11.116 million by end total CMO related complaints. Telenor, which has the second
June to 11.782 million by end July 2019. Zong 3G subscribers largest number of consumers, was also second with 1583 i.e.
decreased from 8.513 million by end June to 8.270 million by end 27.05 percent complaints were received against it. Zong stood
July while the number of 4G users jumped from 12.658 million by third with 977 complaints i.e. 16.69 percent of total complaints.
end June to 12.794 million by end July. The number of 3G users Ufone had 933 complaints against its various services which
of Telenor network decreased from 8.174 million by end June to make up 15.94 percent of the total CMO related complaints. PTA
8.128 million by end July i.e. registering a decline of 0.046 million. also received 560 complaints against basic telephony where 577
The number of 4G users jumped from 6.461 million by end June were addressed during July 2019. Further 983 complaints were
to 6.766 million by end July 2019. Ufone 3G users decreased from received against ISPs where 979 were addressed.
7.015 million by end June to 6.968 million, registering a decline (August 27, 2019) brecorder.com
of 0.047 million. The number of 4G users of Ufone increased
from 1.886 million to 2.016 million during this period. Teledensity The government has prepared a draft e-commerce policy
for cellular mobile remained at 76.56 percent and broadband framework to pave way for holistic growth of e-commerce in
subscribers reached 71.71 million by end July compared to 71.241 the country through creating an enabling environment where
million by end June. PTA received 7403 complaints from telecom small and large enterprises would have equal opportunity to
consumers against different telecom operators including (cellular grow steadily. It is hoped that, Pakistan’s e-commerce sector
operators, PTCL, LDIs, WLL operators and ISPs) as of July 2019. grows exponentially to claim a substantial share in global
According to PTA data Jazz (Mobilink + Warid) leads the chart trade, which in turn will create employment opportunities and
with 2359 complaints and Telenor stands at second position as generate more revenues. The overall share of services sector

104 AUGUST 2019