Page 107 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed order): YouTube, Snap Chat, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram. The
bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime statistics additionally mentioned that average Internet download
Minister and Minister of Defense- May Allah protect them-On speed reached (45.61) in Makkah, achieving an improvement
the success of the ICT sector’s operational plans and procedures rate of (71.79%) compared to last year. The number of domestic
for this season of Hajj, mentioning that it would not have been calls reached (22.7 millions) while international calls reached (7.6
possible without the ultimate support and guidance of the wise millions) with success rate of 99.06%.
leadership, the continuous guidance and follow ups of HRH Prince (August 12, 2019) citc.gov.sa
Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior
and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, HRH Prince The Communications and Information Technology Commission
Khaled Al Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the (CITC) revealed statistics of the performance of telecommunication
Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region, and Chairman networks in Makkah for the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah 1440-2019
of the Central Hajj Committee, and HE Eng. Abdullah Bin Amer where data consumption reached 1946 terabytes with a rise of
Al Sawahah, Minister of Communications and Information 34 % compared to last year. This is equivalent to watching more
Technology, Chairman of the CITC. than 704 thousand hours of video footage at 1080p HD resolution.
(August 13, 2019) citc.gov.sa The statistics also included average of daily data consumption
per person in Makkah during the seventh day of Dhu al-Hijjah
The Communications and Information Technology Commission 1440 A H-2019. The average rate reached (344 MB / subscriber)
(CITC) revealed statistics of the performance of telecommunication compared to daily global data consumption rate per person (180
networks in Makkah for the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah 1440-2019 MB / subscriber), noting that the most popular applications are (in
where data consumption reached 1820 terabytes with a rise of order): YouTube, Facebook, Snap Chat, WhatsApp, Instagram. The
32 % compared to last year. This is equivalent to watching more statistics additionally mentioned that average Internet download
than 746thousand hours of video footage at 1080p HD resolution. speed reached (44.91) in Makkah, achieving an improvement
The statistics also included average of daily data consumption rate of (72.47%) compared to last year. The number of domestic
per person; the average rate reached (299.12 MB / subscriber) calls reached (16.7 millions) while international calls reached (5.9
compared to daily global data consumption rate per person (180 millions).
MB / subscriber), noting that the most popular applications are (in (August 11, 2019) citc.gov.sa

Sri Lanka

The Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission of Sri down call charges. ‘Reducing of this rate is directly beneficial to
Lanka (TRCSL) is mulling a cut to mobile termination rates (MTRs) the consumer. This was introduced a decade ago and it needs to
in the country, and to that end has published a White Paper on be revised now,’ Bharti Airtel Lanka MD/CEO Jinesh Hegde told
the matter. Since their introduction back in 2010 – to replace during a recent interview. He also revealed that the actual cost of
the outmoded ‘sending-network keeps all’ (SKA) regime – MTRs call termination currently stands at less than LKR0.03-LKR0.04
have been pegged at LKR0.50 (USD0.0028) per minute for on-net/ a minute.
off-net calls and LKR0.15 for SMS. However, the regulator is now (August 6, 2019) The Mirror Business
considering a reduction which could benefit end users by driving

Turkey

Regulation on Online Radio, Television and On-Demand states that individual communication services shall not fall within
Broadcasts (“Regulation”) which sets out the procedures and the scope of the Regulation. It also stipulates that the platforms
principles for granting broadcasting licenses and authorization that are not allocated for such online services and real persons
for broadcast transmission and inspection of such streaming and legal entities that are solely hosting providers shall not be
services has been published in the Official Gazette on 01.08.2019. considered as platform operators under the Regulation. Media
The Regulation shall apply to the online radio, television and on- service providers having temporary broadcasting right and/or
demand broadcasting services and private media service providers broadcasting license may provide their broadcasting/streaming
providing such services and platform operators transmitting such services by using such rights and licenses in accordance with
broadcasts. Without prejudice to the authority of the Radio and the Law No. 6112 on the Establishment of Radio and Television
Television Supreme Council (“RTUK”), Article 4 of the Regulation Enterprises and their Media Services (“Law No. 6112”), the Law No.

107 AUGUST 2019