Page 70 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

CITC, ITU’s Spectrum Innovation Webinar Tackles Pressing Policy Issues

about 5G because of its potential to grow
our economies and dramatically improve
people’s lives around the world. “Soon
these next generation technologies,
the wireless networks of the future, will
affect every aspect of our economy and
society, from businesses to homes, from
transportation networks to power grids
and from hospitals to manufacturing.”
One of the most interesting innovations in
the sector is the progress and integration
of satellite communication systems.
"Satellite communication has now entered
The “Radio Spectrum for IMT-2020 and of addressing the growing global digital the mainstream, in terms of its commercial
Beyond: Fostering Commercial and divide, saying, “We are potentially looking sweet spot, and it is ready to be considered
Innovative Use” event, co-organized by at a polarization between the connected alongside terrestrial technologies such as
the International Telecommunication and unconnected worlds. “Today, lack fiber, microwave, Wi-Fi and mobile, to drive
Union (ITU) and the Communications of digital infrastructure means that kids global broadband adoption," stated Rupert
and Information Technology Commission might not receive the right education Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, a leading British
(CITC) of Saudi Arabia, concluded with while households could be prevented satellite telecommunications company.
a wide participation of dozens industry access to basic healthcare, clean water Overall, the webinar stressed on the need
experts from over 20 countries. The and energy, among other needs. This for a global standard and multilateral
speakers gave their thoughts on the latest is why it is so critical for us to come cooperation in spectrum management
spectrum innovations and opportunities together as the greatest thinkers and and integration, in line with the ITU’s newly
for policy makers, to over 5000 virtual doers in the world in the spectrum arena launched worldwide technology standards
attendees. The three-day webinar came and find policy solutions to our times’ IMT-2020. The UN’s specialized agency
at a critical time for digitalization and challenges.” The speakers explored the for ICT was represented by its Secretary-
spectrum management. The COVID-19 potential of 5G, vehicular communication General Houlin Zhao, who thanked CITC for
pandemic has moved work, education, systems, unlicensed technologies, satellite hosting the event. He went on to state, “I
healthcare and social life onto digital communications, and other exciting call on all of you to join us and make the
platforms, which require large amounts developments in the ICT sector. Ajit Pai, most of this historical moment to deploy
of spectrum uptake and strong digital Chairman of the United States Federal technologies like 5G that promises to
infrastructure. Minister of Communications Communications Commission (FCC), improve people’s lives on a scale never
and Information Technology Abdullah spoke about how these new technologies seen before.”
Alswaha, acknowledged the importance will impact our future. “Everyone’s talking

South Africa Moves to Establish New ‘Super-Regulator’

As part of its ongoing commitment to ICASA will merge to form one regulator.’ achieved
rationalize government entities under its Additionally, the ‘Universal Service and • monitoring of ICASA and ensuring that
state-owned enterprises (SOE) plan, South Access Agency of South Africa will be the regulator is adequately resourced to
Africa’s Department of Communications repurposed to establish a state-owned license 4G spectrum
and Digital Technologies has announced digital fund company,’ it said. • repositioning of the State Information
plans to streamline a number of prominent The online journal goes on to point out Technology Agency (SITA) to drive the
bodies, including telecoms regulator the that the President has signed performance use of local technologies
Independent Communications Authority agreements with all his Cabinet ministers, • completion of decoder rollout and
South Africa (ICASA). MyBroadband cites outlining the targets they will have to meet. switching-off analogue transmitters
the government department as saying: These reportedly include: for the Broadcasting Digital Migration
‘The state signal distributor SENTECH • 80% of the population must have access project by 2021, and rearranging of
will be merged with Broadband Infraco to to the internet by 2024 spectrum radio frequencies
form one state broadband infrastructure • policy direction in relation to 5G must be • release of special dividend by 2023.
company. Domain name authority ZADNA, issued by December 2021
the Film and Publications Board, and • a reduction in the cost of data must be

70 DECEMBER 2020